LEONARDTOWN, Md. - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office this week reported the results of an undercover sting operation they conducted Sunday, April 29, to determine if local merchants would sell cigarettes to minors. Five of the fifteen establishments targeted during the operation sold a tobacco product to the undercover minor.
Senior Deputy First Class Emory Johnson and Senior Deputy First Class D. Ross of the Special Operations Division of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of a seventeen year-old confidential informant, conducted an underage controlled buy for tobacco in the Lexington Park, Ridge, Park Hall and Great Mills areas in the County. The underage confidential informant was instructed to enter the establishments visited and attempt to purchase a tobacco product.
According to police, the establishments that made sales to a minor were: St. James Deli, Great Mills Wa Wa, The Stop n Shop, Discount Tobacco and Convenience, and Cook's Liquors Park Hall.
The establishments that refused to sell to an underage person were: Rick's Marine, Buzz's Country Store, Courtney's Restaurant and Bar, Raley's Town and Country Market, Ben's Bar and Grocery, Blimpie's, Rod n Reel, McKay's Food and Drug Center Great Mills, Great Mills Sheetz, A&W and the Callaway Shell.
RELATED INFORMATION:
6 of 7 Stores Who Allegedly Illegally Sold Cigs To Undercover
Minor Are Corporate Chain Stores, March 15, 2007
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