SLO County tobacco sting nets six stores selling to minors
August 2, 2013
A San Luis Obispo County law enforcement sting in July caught six stores selling tobacco to minors.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and Health Agency conducted a sweep of 54 stores in the unincorporated areas of the county, which ended July 31. The agencies used two local teens under the age of 18, who attempted to purchase tobacco in the communities of San Miguel, Santa Margarita, Cambria, Cayucos, Los Osos, Avila Beach, Oceano and Nipomo.
Five of the store clerks who sold tobacco to the undercover minors improperly examined the identification that the teens presented. Only one store clerk did not ask for any identification.
The six stores that sold tobacco to the minors were Mesa View Market in Arroyo Grande, Avila Mercantile and Grocery in Avila Beach, Mission Market and Deli in Los Osos, Margarita Mercantile in Santa Margarita and Santa Margarita KOA in Santa Margarita.
Avila Mercantile and Grocery received its third illegal tobacco sales violation in the last three months.
The previous San Luis Obispo County tobacco sting caught just three stores selling tobacco to minors.
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