5 Arrested in Probe of Cigarette Fencing
An undercover investigation into the fencing of stolen cigarettes ended Wednesday with raids on two liquor stores and the arrests of five people.
Detectives with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the city Police Department formed a task group called Operation Greed, officials said.
The investigators contacted businesses and offered to sell what were described as stolen cigarettes at half of their $94,000 retail value.
The agents said they found takers at Ladd’s Liquor, 7930 Dale Ave., and the Stanton 17 Food Store at 6522 Stanton Ave., police said.
The five who were arrested may face felony charges of receiving stolen property and possible action against their liquor licenses, police said.
“The majority of stores really approve of this because most of them are good people and it keeps everybody accountable,” Buena Park Sgt. Rich Pena said.
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