The Modesto Police Department has recently put a magnifying glass on illegal tobacco sales, targeting several local smoke shops in a citywide operation. The inspections, which took place on Thursday, March 27, revealed a stunning lack of compliance among the eight shops inspected. According to a social media post by the Modesto Police Department, none of the locations met state mandates regarding the sale of tobacco and related products.
Finding all eight retailers to be in violation, Modesto police issued citations across the board. The confiscated items during the sweep included not only traditional tobacco products but also a range of hemp/CBD/delta items and drug paraphernalia. Out of compliance and now facing the music, the operation witnessed 1,621 tobacco products, 129 hemp/CBD/Delta items, and 349 drug paraphernalia items being seized. As cited by the official communication of the department, this operation marks an ongoing effort “to keep harmful products out of the hands of minors and hold retailers accountable.”…