TAVARES – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is cracking down on underage alcohol and tobacco sales throughout the county according to a press release.
In an effort to reduce and possibly eliminate the sale of alcohol and tobacco products to minors, deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Special Investigations Bureau conducted a two-day undercover sting throughout the county on Wednesday and Thursday.
“A total of 84 stores were visited during the operation, to include various gas stations, liquor stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, and discount stores,” Lt. John Herrell stated in the press release.
During the sting, 22 arrests were made. 20 for selling alcohol to a minor and 2 for selling tobacco to a minor.
Of those arrests, Herrell stated one stood out. The arrest of 34-year-old Azim Miah, came after an undercover buyer managed to make two separate purchases at the Umatilla Truck Stop where Miah was the clerk.
According to Herrell, the Umatilla Truck Stop has been the subject of numerous complaints of illegal alcohol sales for some time.
Miah was arrested and charged with the sale of alcoholic beverages to a minor. He was later released from the Lake County Jail after posting a $500 bond.
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