Three People Cited in Tobacco Sting Operation in Camarillo

On January 27^th 2026, members of the Camarillo Community Resources Unit and Camarillo City Code Enforcement conducted an underage tobacco decoy sting. The goal of the operation is to limit underage access to tobacco products. The operations resulted in three misdemeanor citations, including two citizens that furnished tobacco products to the underage decoy and one clerk who sold alcohol to the decoy. 

Underage decoys, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, asked citizens entering Camarillo tobacco retail businesses to purchase tobacco products for them since they were under the age of 21 years old. In addition, a clerk sold alcohol to the decoy who entered the business to test the sale of alcohol to a person under 21 years old.

During the operation, two suspects took the underage decoy’s money and furnished tobacco products. The suspects were able to legally purchase the tobacco with the money given to them by the decoy and exchanged the tobacco with the decoy outside the business. Additionally, Jose Moqueda, a clerk working at Springville Market, sold the decoy alcohol and he failed to ask the decoy for identification.

Penal Code 308(a)(1)(A)(i) makes it a misdemeanor for a subject to furnish tobacco and tobacco products to a minor who is under the age of 21. Furthermore, Business and Profession Code (BP) 25658(a) makes it a misdemeanor for a subject to furnish alcohol to a minor who is under the age of 21.

The Camarillo Police Department will continue to work with Camarillo City Code Enforcement and Ventura County Public Health to educate and enforce against any underage tobacco sales. The tobacco decoy operation was paid for by a Tobacco Grant from the California Department of Justice. The Camarillo Police Department will also continue to work with ABC to educate and enforce against underage alcohol sales.

The Camarillo Police Department would like to remind parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using drugs (like tobacco) and alcohol. Parents play an important role in limiting access to unsafe items in the home and educating their children about drug and alcohol safety.

Anyone who knows of adults furnishing tobacco products to minors or establishments who sell tobacco products to minors please call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511 or email Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig with CRU (matthew.koenig@ventura.org). People who call can remain anonymous. 

Nature of Incident:Tobacco Decoy / Shoulder Tap Operation
Location:Various Retail Locations ~ City of Camarillo
Date:January 27, 2026
Unit(s) Responsible:Camarillo Community Resources Unit, Camarillo City Code Enforcement
Suspects; City of Residence; Age
Jose Mosqueda; Oxnard; 33
Amy Trout; Oxnard; 34
Salvador Martinez; Camarillo; 44

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).