One day after the New Year’s Day holiday, Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents were at work upholding California ABC laws.  That work included posting Notices of Suspension or Notices of Revocation at four California businesses that violated the law.

“ABC laws are in place for a reason,” said Alan Barcelona, president of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) which represents ABC agents.  “Businesses that serve alcohol to minors, sell drug paraphernalia, or allow unruly behavior contribute to a decline in our neighborhoods.  ABC agents work daily to cite or arrest those violating the law.  Those violations can lead to Notices of Suspension, or worse, Notices of Revocation.”

On January 2, 2014, agents posted a Notice of Suspension at El Harradero in Santa Clara.  Undercover ABC agents and local law enforcement officers went into the restaurant several times during a three month period.  They discovered numerous violations including allowing the sale of illegal drugs on the premises, allowing illegal drink solicitations, permitting a minor to consume alcoholic beverages, and allowing lewd conduct.  According to ABC, the owner purchased alcoholic beverages for resale from someone other than a wholesaler.   In addition, the business failed to operate as a bona fide restaurant. The Santa Clara business will no longer be able to sell alcohol.

On January 9, 2014, ABC agents posted a Notice of Suspension at La Aurora Liquors in Pittsburg.  During an undercover operation, agents were able to buy suspected drug paraphernalia from a store clerk who was just 13 years old.  Agents seized, from the store, numerous items suspected to be drug paraphernalia.  The 20-day suspension is a warning of sorts, the license has been ordered revoked, however the revocation will be stayed for three years.  Similar accusations at La Aurora Liquors within the three-year stayed period would allow ABC to revoke the license outright.

On January 16, 2014, ABC agents posted a Notice of Suspension at Perry’s Liquor in Pleasanton where they witnessed a store clerk sell alcoholic beverages to an 18-year-old who in turn shared the alcohol with a 15-year-old.  The suspension is for 30 days.  The license has been ordered revoked, however, the revocation will be stayed for one year allowing the licensee to transfer the ABC license to a new owner.  In addition to the notice of suspension, agents cited the store clerk and the 18-year-old who purchased the alcoholic beverage.

On January 21, 2014, agents posted a Notice of Revocation at El Michoacano Bar in Pacoima. The revocation means the owners are prohibited from serving alcoholic beverages.   ABC agents worked with Los Angeles police officers in a two-month, undercover investigation that revealed an illegal drink solicitation and commission scheme.  The illegal activity involved bar servers who placed a surcharge on alcoholic beverages in exchange for keeping male patrons company.