GUSTINE — A joint enforcement operation between the Gustine Police Department and Merced County Public Health targeted unauthorized food vendors in Gustine on Friday night, marking the city’s first direct involvement in a broader countywide crackdown aimed at protecting public health and ensuring fair business practices.
Officers visited two vendor locations within city limits and found that neither had the required business licenses or health certifications to operate. Their inventory was confiscated and placed under the possession of Merced County, according to Gustine Police Community Service Officer Karyme Elizalde. The action followed a surge in complaints from residents about unpermitted food sales in town.
“We started to get a lot of complaints about vendors selling stuff that was not permitted in Gustine,” Elizalde said. She added that the department hopes to continue partnering with county officials to address the issue…