SANTA CRUZ—Three vendors at the Santa Cruz flea market were cited for selling tobacco products to minors during a decoy operation on Sunday.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Unit conducted the operation at the market, which is held in the former Skyview Drive-in at 2260 Soquel Drive.
The members seized about 1,000 tobacco products, an estimated value of $8,000, sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said.
Each vendor was issued a citation with a future court date. All tobacco products, including paraphernalia and electronic cigarette products, were seized as evidence.
The goal of the operation was to limit minors’ access to tobacco products in addition to ensuring all tobacco sales were with a licensed retailer.