Officers with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office arrested eight people in an alleged price-gouging scam operating during the coronavirus outbreak.
“These parties intended to maximize financial gain during the emergency with merchandise being offered for sale upward of twenty times its regular retail price,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
The items sold included masks, gloves, toilet paper, and cleaning products.
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Authorities arrested the suspects in a sting operation, with undercover officers meeting with the alleged scammers in public places and confirming their intent to sell at “exorbitant prices.”
It is illegal in California to sell essential products for more than 10% of their retail value during a state of emergency.
The eight people were cited and released, according to authorities.
California has been a hotbed of coronavirus cases, with 904 confirmed cases and 16 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on March 4.
