Stamford Police Issue Tickets In Drive To Snuff Out Youth Tobacco Sales

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Stamford police ticketed a pair of store clerks on charges of selling tobacco to a 17-year-old on March 6 in a sting operation that is part of the state's drive to cut tobacco use by teens.

Stamford Police cracking down on cigarette sales to teens. Two clerks at city stores hit with $200 tickets for selling tobacco to teens.
Photo Credit: *File photo*

Frank MacEachern

03/24/2015 5:00 a.m.

Clerks working at Niva Stamford Gift Shop at First Stamford Place and the 3 Hermanos Grocery on South Pacific Street sold tobacco to the 17-year-old, Capt. Richard Conklin said.

The good news, he said, was that employees at eight other stores declined to sell tobacco to the undercover teen.

Jayelynn Garcia and Bilter Hernandez each were issued $200 tickets for selling tobacco to a minor.

Conklin said the crackdown campaign was made with the assistance of grants from the state's Urban Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement program.

Police officers will continue with the program, which has seen other store employees hit with the $200 tickets from earlier this year and late last year, Conklin said.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.