Undercover Operation

Undercover Operation
(tales Of The Lost Patrol)

(C) James J Alonzo

Jack in working for the police department, was a good cop and smart. One day Jack had  
received a tip that Richard Weaver, the owner of a local Deli or convenience store was selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors as young as 12 years old. So he forward a report to the Chief, requesting assignment to catch and prosecute this dealer of cigarettes to children.

Jack's Chief called him in to a meeting about Jack's latest report,

"I read your report Jack, and I want to know how you propose to get evidence on this case?"

"Yes sir", Jack replied, "I have a 16 year old girl in mind. Her name is Sherri, I know her parents and she is the sister of one of our dispatchers. She will go in and make buys of cigarettes and even beer."

"Very well, but before we use her I want her interviewed by the State Attorneys Office and get their approval. We need to know that she can sit on the stand, testify in a court of law and get convictions."

"Yes sir," Jack said, " I will coordinate this for you sir."

The big night came. Jack was now in charge of this undercover operation. Jack coordinated with other officers their positions for surveillance. He put a wire on Sherri and sent her in while watching from a closed business across the street where they were able to see and hear the whole conversation.

The plan was to simply send her in and have her buy a pack and leave. Jack and the other cops would go in and make the arrest after she left.

When she went in, looked around, and observe the owner ringing out other customers at the register. Once the store was clear except for Sherri and the owner, Richard Weaver, Sherri approached,

"May I have a pack of Virginia Slims cigarettes?"

"How old are you", asked Richard.

"18."

"Let me see your I D." Richard ordered.

Jack and the other officers that were watching and listening, figured if Richard were going to ID her, he would see that she was not 18, and toss her out.  Much to their surprise, the clerk looked at her license,

"I thought so, you're too young, I can't sell you any smokes."  

He handed her license back and shocked the whole surveillance team when he said

"You can't buy smokes...but do you smoke weed?"

Sherri was on the ball, she immediately answered,

"Yeah, I sure do!"

So Jack and the officers got it on tape, Richard Weaver selling Sherri, 1/4 bag for $ 40.00.

Sherri walked out smiling from ear to ear. The store owner got busted and got a lot tougher sentence than if he simply sold Sherri the smokes.