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Police announce arrests in vape‑pen sales to juveniles; introduce two new motor deputies
Summary
Palm Desert public safety staff said joint enforcement led to two search warrants and the arrest of an individual alleged to have sold nicotine and cannabis vape pens to juveniles; the department also introduced two new motor deputies.
Palm Desert public safety staff reported at the April 24 meeting that investigators executed two search warrants and arrested a person they identified as a seller of vape pens to juveniles in the Coachella Valley.
Sergeant Jeff Bridal introduced the department’s two new motor deputies and briefed the council on enforcement efforts. Bridal said deputies Tony Leyva and Jeff Vischer join the city’s motor program; he described Vischer as having 18 years of experience and Leyva as an eight‑year officer with a decorated military background.
Bridal reported that since December the department had seen a notable increase in juvenile possession of nicotine and cannabis vape pens on school campuses; in response, detectives worked with other teams and served two search warrants, arresting the individual identified as supplying many juveniles. Bridal said investigators used social‑media monitoring to identify the seller and urged parents to monitor their children’s social media activity. When asked whether the seller was a private individual or a business, Bridal replied the matter involved a private individual. The department described the enforcement as intended to reduce juvenile access to vaping products in the valley.
