Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Suffolk County Acting Police Commissioner Robert Waring today announced the results of the nearly month-long initiative Operation Smoke Out.
During the month of May, Suffolk County Police officers checked for compliance at more than 250 businesses for the sale of vape products to people under the age of 21 as well as the unlawful sale of illegal vaping products.
Since May 6, 266 checks were conducted with compliance found during 196 checks. Fifty-four people were arrested. Several businesses were checked more than once. Two businesses, Irie Vaporization Wellness & Scents in Coram and Shirley Smoke and Cigar in Shirley, violated the law on two different occasions.
More than 56,000 vape items were seized during the initiative. Additionally, gambling machines and weapons were also confiscated during the checks.
“Thanks to the excellent work of the Suffolk County Police Department, we continue to locate these businesses and shut down their illegal operations,” said Romaine. “We have made a commitment to the community to keep our county safe, and this is an integral step in that direction.”
“Operation Smoke Out was a success as demonstrated by the arrests and seizure of illegal products,” Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring said. “But more importantly, these checks raised awareness about the law and highlighted our priority enforcing it. I would like to commend the officers in our precinct Crime Sections for this endeavor which will help keep dangerous vapes out of the hands of our young people.”
While the Operation Smoke Out initiative has culminated, the department will continue to check the compliance of businesses throughout the year.