The Oakland Police Department is making headlines once again, this time for shuttering an illegal smoke shop in East Oakland and taking various illicit items off the streets. A statement from OPD outlined that tips from community members set the Alcohol Beverage Action Team (ABAT) on the trail of unlicensed operations at a site in the 1200 block of Fruitvale Avenue. According to a social media post by the Oakland Police Department, the ABAT, in a joint effort with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), managed to score a handgun, an assortment of drugs including marijuana, crystal meth, MDMA “ecstasy”, psilocybin mushrooms, and unauthorized tobacco products during their enforcement action yesterday.
The investigation brought to light the shop's blatant disregard for licensing laws, as it was found to lack the necessary state or city licenses to even legally sell tobacco products, let alone a license from the Department of Cannabis Control. Such details have prompted the OPD to pursue stringent measures to address and remediate the situation thoroughly. They plan to promptly forward the case to the Alameda County District Attorney's office for criminal charges. Concurrently, they are set to trigger civil repercussions through the City Attorney's Office, which could include eviction for the tenants involved.
The Oakland Police Department was vocal in their appreciation for the community's vigilance, stating, "OPD remains committed to promoting community safety and values the role of public partnership in addressing crime and strengthening trust with residents."
