Several agencies came together over the weekend to reduce the illegal use and sale of laser pointers.

The green laser pointers have become popular along the Grand Strand, but have been problematic for aircraft and people on the ground.

Saturday and Sunday, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Horry County Police Department, the Horry County Sheriff's Office, and the Myrtle Beach Police Department worked together to cite those misusing the laser pointers and those selling them illegally.

Six people were cited for illegally using them in the coast areas of Myrtle Beach.

One case involved a laser being pointed at and hitting a helicopter in the area. That case has been referred to the U.S. Attorney's office for prosecution. Shining a laser pointer into an aircraft is a federal offense that can carry an $11,000 fine and jail time.

More than 22 businesses that sell the lasers were checked, and six were found to be in violation of local ordinances which prohibit their sale to minors.

This summer, numerous problems were reported concerning the laser pointers, including several cases of the U.S. Coast Guard having to call off a rescue mission because one was pointed into a cockpit.

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