A coordinated effort between the Shreveport Police Department’s Vice Unit and Youth Bureau has led to the arrests of dozens of persons accused of selling tobacco and alcohol to persons under the legal age.

During the five day operation entitled “Save the Children”, authorities checked over 200 locations throughout Shreveport who sale alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. 

During the investigation, 46 employees of various businesses were arrested  and or summonsed for their alleged role in selling alcohol to underage buyers, while four other arrests are pending. 

Additionally, authorities arrested five employees who sold tobacco products to those below eighteen years old.  

Cpl Angie Willhite, Public Information Officer for the Shreveport Police Department, said “Over half of the time the people that we arrested asked for the identification of the person and then knowingly sold them alcohol knowing they were underage.”