Ocoee Police Department cracks down on illegal vape sales

The Ocoee Police Department conducted a joint operation Wednesday, Oct. 29 to target illegal vape sales. 

The department participated in a joint-agency operation with the Florida Attorney General's Office, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

The operation involved compliance checks at nine smoke shops throughout Ocoee, identifying the possession and sale of products listed on the Nicotine Dispensing Device Directory. The Florida Attorney General's Office maintains the directory of nicotine-containing products that are illegal to sell in Florida because they are designed to appeal to minors. 

Three store clerks also were cited during the operation. 

There were three sales of "Hemp" products, two sales of vape/nicotine products and one sale of a tobacco product to persons under 21 years old, according to a news release from the Ocoee Police Department. 

Hundreds of items also were removed from each smoke shop for violations of Florida law after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspected the shops. 

“Our City of Ocoee community values safety, integrity, and the well-being of our residents, especially our kids,” said Ocoee Police Chief Vincent Ogburn. “Illegal vape products have no place here. These operations help protect our community from unregulated products that can pose serious risks to public health and safety.

“This operation reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting the community from these dangers," he said. "We are grateful for the assistance and partnership of the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Their collaboration was instrumental in making this operation a success.”