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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A Maricopa County Superior Court Judge has ruled that Arizona’s anti-SLAPP law is constitutional after the County Attorney's Office tried to have it struck down. -
The murder of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles in 1976 is still one of the most notable events in Phoenix history. But despite that, nobody’s written a comprehensive historical book about the case — until now. -
A new report from Human Rights First shows the number of ICE deportation flights were at a historic high again in March, even in the midst of the partial government shutdown. -
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is warning residents about an increase of construction scams targeting small guest houses and casitas commonly built in backyards. -
The Tucson Police Department recently encrypted its radio communications, effectively blocking the public from listening.
