Senior Deputy First Class Emory Johnson and Senior Deputy First Class D. Ross of the Special Operations Division of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of a seventeen year old confidential informant, conducted an underage controlled buy for tobacco in the Lexington Park, Ridge, Park Hall and Great Mills areas in the County.
The underage confidential informant was instructed to enter the establishments visited and attempt to purchase a tobacco product. 5 of the 16 establishments targeted during the operation sold a tobacco product to a minor. The establishments that made sales to a minor were: St. James Deli, Great Mills Wa Wa’s, The Stop n Shop, Discount Tobacco and Convenience, and Cook’s Liquors Park Hall.
The establishments that refused to sell to an underage person were: Rick’s Marine, Buzz’s Country Store, Courtney’s Restaurant and bar, Raley’s Town and Country Market, Ben’s Bar and Grocery, Blimpie’s, Rod n Reel, McKay’s Food and Drug Center Great Mills, Great Mills Sheetz, A&W and The Callaway Shell.