Six businesses caught selling tobacco to minors
The ABC Board and the Morgan County sheriff’s office has completed a two-month undercover operation that led to six businesses being found guilty of selling tobacco products to minors.
The non-compliant businesses were identified as Flint Wavahoo, 5006 Hwy. 31 S, Decatur; Highway 31 Shell, 100 Hwy. 31, S, Hartselle; BP station, 1804 Main St. E, Hartselle; Hartselle Food Mart, 1524 Hwy. 31 S, Hartselle; Mr. Quick Store, 4696 Hwy. 55 E, Falkville; and 322 Truck Stop, 101 Hwy. 55 E, Falkville.
In a press release from the Enforcement Division of the Alabama Beverage Control Board, Agent Bill LaPradd stated that selling cigarettes to minors has been an ongoing problem.
“We have been collecting information that we get from the community and other law enforcement agencies for two months. Officers then sent an ABC Board approved minor into the locations in an attempt to purchase tobacco products, LaPradd said. “The above listed businesses are six businesses out of 25 checked that sold tobacco to a minor.
He said none of the non-compliant businesses asked to see any identification from the minor. They were issued criminal citations.
“The sheriff’s office obtains several complaints of alcohol and tobacco products being sold to minors each years,” said Sheriff Ana Franklin.
“Having an ABC agent assisting the sheriff’s office has been a great asset to resolving these type of issues quickly and most efficiently. We are able to share the information and work out a plan to resolve the complaints.”