The Arizona Attorney General’s Office says hundreds of store clerks and businesses were caught selling tobacco to people under age 21 last fiscal year.
The latest Operation Counter Strike resulted in more than 450 criminal citations issued in connection with nearly 1,900 tobacco retailer inspections.
State-wide store compliance checks are done by youth volunteers paired with attorney general investigators.
Authorities say the roughly 14% fail rate shows there are persistent bad actors.
The Attorney General’s Office has publicly identified more than a dozen retailers with a “troubling pattern” of selling to minors.
Two retailers considered to be among the state’s worst offenders face consumer fraud lawsuits.
More law enforcement news
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Hundreds of firearms and thousands of ammunition were destroyed on International Firearms Destruction Day at a military base in the Mexican state of Sonora. -
Chandler police on Wednesday arrested a 48-year old doctor from Gilbert on suspicion of sexual assault and abuse last year. Court records appear to show a pattern of behavior with patients. -
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is demanding that automated vehicle developers keep their tech from interfering with police and firefighting activity. -
People have been lining up early — sometimes sleeping there overnight — in hopes of getting a wristband that will allow them access to the courtroom. The 14 coveted seats reserved for the public are first come, first served. -
El Mirage police say a 35-year-old man died in custody over the holiday weekend. An outside investigation led by Peoria police is underway.
