In the continue effort to combat the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors, along with the assistance of a PCSO Explorer (Explorers are high school student volunteers), Polk County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputies conducted Operation Pop Top on Thursday, May 3, 2012.  The operation was conducted in the Winter Haven area of Polk County.

"I commend the businesses and conscientious store clerks who were in compliance with the law," said Sheriff Grady Judd.  "We conduct operations such as these to send a message to the community that we will not tolerate the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to minors."  

Ten businesses were check and all were found in compliance with Florida statute.  Those businesses were:

Food Mart - 101 6^th Street SW, Winter Haven 

Super Way - 2415 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven

Sunoco - 3317 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven

7 Eleven - 4000 Recker Highway, Winter Haven

Dollar General - 2832 Recker Highway, Winter Haven

XYZ - 2793 Recker Highway, Winter Haven

Holy Land Food Mart - 329 26^th Street SW, Winter Haven

Superway Food Mart - 2590 Recker Highway, Winter Haven

Winn Dixie - 2700 Recker Highway, Winter Haven

Sunoco - 1502 Recker Highway, Winter Haven 

“Operation Pop Top is an effective community awareness tool. When proprietors see the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to minors is not tolerated, it sets a precedent,” Sheriff Grady Judd.