The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a convenience store clerk on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, after she illegally sold Kratom to someone under 21 years of age, during an undercover "Operation Pop Top" investigation.

"These operations are carried out frequently at different locations throughout the county, to ensure that the stores and employees are compliant with state laws, and to serve as a warning for others to heed. Those who sell alcoholic beverages or Kratom to juveniles will be held accountable." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The person who purchased the Kratom is a 17-year-old member of the PCSO Explorers program which consists of students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

The Explorer visited 12 stores in the southeast Polk County, from Dundee to Lake Hamilton to Lake Wales, and he was denied the purchase of alcohol or Kratom at 11 of the stores.

Deputies arrested 23-year-old Gina Rossi at the J's Smoke Shop and Vapes at 429 Eagle Ridge Drive in Lake Wales and charged her with Selling Kratom to a Person Under the Age of 21 (a misdemeanor).