Annapolis, MD — Detectives from the Special Investigations Section (SIS) of the Annapolis Police Department conducted a Tobacco Compliance operation on Monday. The operation involved members of the Special Enforcement Action Team (SEAT), patrol officers, and community outreach cadets. Cadets posed as underage customers attempting to purchase tobacco or electronic smoking devices from businesses within Annapolis.
During the operation, five businesses failed to comply with regulations prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to individuals under 21. Violating this regulation is an arrestable misdemeanor under CR 10-107 (C)(1) and incurs a $300 penalty for the first offense.
The non-compliant businesses included:
- Exxon Gas Station, 1926 West St (24-13158)
- Tobacco King, 1933 West St (24-13161)
- 7-Eleven, 1527 Forest Dr (24-13167)
- Tobacco Hut, 2020 West St (24-13172)
- Walgreens, 1005 Bay Ridge Ave (24-13173)
Meanwhile, 27 businesses successfully passed the compliance checks. Among them were Shell Gas Station (2006 West St), Pinky’s West St. Liquors (1100 West St), and 7-Eleven (611 Taylor Ave), among others.
Criminal citations were issued to the following individuals for selling tobacco to underage customers:
- Shahzad, Rana Khuram, Exxon (1926 West St)
- Amara, Chifhali Ould, Tobacco King (1933 West St)
- Rana, Sandeep Singh, 7-Eleven (1527 Forest Dr)
- Amar Ould Jeddou, Ethmane, Tobacco Hut (2020 West St)
- Rankins, Armeka Sequoia Rochelle, Walgreens (1005 Bay Ridge Ave)
The operation was funded through a grant from the City of Annapolis and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.