The Pleasanton Police Department, alongside the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and Pleasanton's Code Enforcement Officer, conducted a robust joint operation last Thursday. The raid targeted local smoke shops suspected of selling illegal products to minors, resulting in the seizure of over $130,000 in illegal merchandise. Among the confiscated goods were 4,300 units of flavored tobacco and psilocybin mushroom, in addition to various marijuana products deemed unlawful by the CDTFA.

The operation falls under the broader Tobacco Grant Program, a funding initiative propelled by Proposition 56. It's been public that the Pleasanton Police Department was the beneficiary of over $430,000 from the California Department of Justice destined to support educational efforts in schools and communities and back enforcement operations. These operations span retail stings to shoulder tap operations—a method where a minor, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, solicits adults outside a retail venue to purchase alcohol on their behalf. Due to these inspections, businesses found flouting the legislation by selling flavored tobacco have been issued citations. In more severe cases, a tobacco sales license can face suspension for 30 days.

Community reaction to this news has been mixed, with some applauding the efforts to prevent youth exposure to these substances. In contrast, others question the deployment of considerable resources towards this end. The specifics of the operation were shared through the Pleasanton Police Department's Facebook page, offering transparency about the conduct and results of the intervention. This Facebook post delineated that "during the inspections, over $130,000 worth of illegal products were seized from three shops".