'We're going to protect our youth': Dozens arrested in illegal vape sale operation

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Twenty-seven people across 20 vape stores in Martin County have been arrested for selling vaping products to minors.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Smoke Signals,” was initiated by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) in response to parental concerns about children's access to these products. The purpose of the operation was to prevent minors from accessing dangerous products by holding those who sell them accountable.

Florida law requires a person to be 21 or older to buy vaping products meaning stores are required to ask for identification.

As part of the operation detectives sent out a person under the age of 21 but at least 18 into several stores to see if workers would sell the product to the underaged undercover person. Shops in Hobe Sound, Palm City, Stuart and even Jensen Beach were among the long list of rule-breaking retailers.

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Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said the products were easily obtained.

“Our detectives went out and it was alarming how easy it was for them to purchase vapes," Budensiek said.

The nearly 30 suspects were arrested, transported to the Martin County Jail and charged with misdemeanors for selling nicotine to a person under 21.

“This is a clear message that we’re not going to tolerate that here in Martin County," the sheriff said. "We’re going to protect our youth.”

Budensiek said the operation uncovered that more than just vaping products were being sold by a vendor at High-Class Glass Gallery Smoke Shop in Jensen Beach resulting in her arrest.

“Just the individual working at the store was arrested," said Budensiek. "Now the mushrooms were pretty obvious like they were in the refrigerators there. They were in the edibles. It was not a secret that they arere selling psilocybin mushrooms out of the store, so it’s likely the owner had an idea of what was taking place.”

Deputies conducted a separate investigation and recovered the following illegal substances:

• - 140 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
• - 36 psilocybin mushroom chocolate bars
• - 7 packets of psilocybin mushroom gummies
• - 2 containers of psilocybin syrup
• - 6 psilocybin “tabs”
• - 1 psilocybin “magical extract”

The sheriff said if stores continue to illegally sell these products, shops could face harsher penalties including administrative fines and even store closures.