January 3, 2024
| Oneida County
During this past week, the New York State Police Troop D Violent Gangs and Narcotics Unit and Uniform Troopers launched another campaign of “Operation Vaporizer” within Oneida County. The operation targeted the sales of flavored nicotine vapes to minors.
As a result of receiving countless complaints from school districts and parents, several law enforcement agencies worked together again to attempt to curb such sales.
The New York State Police was assisted by the following agencies: Town of Kirkland Police Department, Boonville Police Department, and Camden Police Department
This is a reminder to all smoke shops in New York State that the legal age to purchase tobacco products or nicotine vapes is 21 years of age.
As a result of the initiative, the following locations were checked and found to be in compliance:
Camden Gourmet Deli and Smoke Shop 54 Main St Camden
Z1 Smoke Shop 13410 State Route 12 Boonville
Royal Plus Shop 8601 Turin Rd Rome (T/Lee)
The following locations were found NOT to be in compliance with the laws dealing with the sale of nicotine vapes to persons under the age of 21:
NC Smoke Shop 13187 State Route 12 Boonville. This location is a repeated offender.
As a result, Leah J. Irish, age 18 from Boonville, NY was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class "A" misdemeanor.
One Stop Deli 14 College St Clinton
As a result, Mohamed K. Al Almeri, age 31 from Clinton, NY was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class "A" misdemeanor.
Iron Lungs 8215 Turin Rd Rome
As a result, Devin J. Riggleman, age 26 from Rome, NY was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class "A" misdemeanor.