FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 28, 2024
Modesto Police Crack Down on Illegal Tobacco and Cannabis Sales Modesto, CA – On Monday, March 25, 2024, the Modesto Police Department, in collaboration with agents from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, followed up on complaints from concerned residents and businesses regarding the sale of cannabis-infused and flavored tobacco products. This includes cannabis-infused edibles that are being packaged and sold as copycat versions of popular food and candy products that target our youth.
Two separate notices had been sent out to local businesses advising them to cease and desist if they were selling any of the illegal products.
Compliance checks were conducted at the following locations:
- West Side Smoke Shop, 506 Paradise (near a park and high school) - J’s Smoke Shop, 2019 Yosemite
- Smoke City, 2015 #B and 2015 #A Yosemite Blvd.
- Maze Smoke Shop, 101 Maze Blvd.
- Smoking Jay’s, 302 McHenry
- Smoke City, 1601 Yosemite Blvd. #H
The operation resulted in:
- 8 arrests
- Seizure of over $10,000 from illegal gambling activities - Discovery of an illegal firearm
- Confiscation of thousands of dollars’ worth of illegal products, including flavored tobacco, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, cannabis-based products, psilocybin mushrooms - Confiscation of 10 gambling machines
Furthermore, building safety violations were located at all six locations.
The Modesto Police Department extends a huge thank you to our personnel from patrol, Area Command, Investigative Services Division, and to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for their dedication and hard work in ensuring the success of this operation.
This crackdown serves as a reminder of the dangers and criminal activities associated with the illegal sale of such products. Not only does it pose risks to public health and safety, but it also impacts the quality of life for our residents. The Modesto Police Department remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring a safe and secure community for everyone.
The Modesto Police Department takes these complaints from our community seriously and will be conducting additional enforcement operations in the near future.
Video posted to social media: https://fb.watch/uZD30Whqw0/
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