Minor Decoy Operation

On December 21, 2021, about 10:30 AM, Hemet Station deputies, along with the assistance of the Department of Environmental Health, carried out a minor decoy operation to verify merchants do not sell tobacco products, tobacco paraphernalia, vape products or cannabis THC to persons under 21 years of age. Seventeen businesses were checked, to include 6 targets in Hemet and Valle Vista, 6 targets in Idyllwild and Anza, and 5 targets in San Jacinto. 

As a result of this operation, merchants from Hemet, Valle Vista, Idyllwild and Anza were all found to be in compliance.  Three out of five merchants in San Jacinto were in violation of selling tobacco, tobacco paraphernalia and cannabis THC to minors. Two merchants were issued misdemeanor citations for selling tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia to a person under 21 years age and released on a promise to appear. One merchant was arrested for a felony of selling cannabis THC to a person under the age of 21 and was booked into the Cois Bird Detention Center and being held on $25,000 bail. 

Subjects arrested:

1.  Najdat Diab, a 21-year-old male, arrested for 11361(b) H&S and booked at CBDC (Felony)
2.  Mohamed Hemida, a 69-year-old male, cited for 308(a)(1)(A)(i) PC and released at the scene (Misdemeanor)
3. Carrie Ruditis, a 51-year-old female, cited for 308(a)(1)(A)(i) PC and released at the scene (Misdemeanor)

The goal of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is to keep all of our citizens safe while also improving the quality of life for those residing within the community. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has a zero-tolerance policy for these offenses. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Riddle at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 791-3400. If you suspect illegal activity in your area, please contact your local Sheriff’s Station.  The Hemet Sheriff’s Station can be reached at (951) 791-3400 and the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station can be reached at (951) 766-2400.  Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline at (909) 987-5005 or https://wetip.com.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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