VISALIA – On May 24, 2018, California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a shoulder-tap operation in Pixley and Earlimart that resulted in three people being cited for furnishing alcohol to someone under the age of 21.

Under the supervision of deputies and agents, an under-age decoy asked customers entering a place of business that sells alcohol if they would purchase alcohol for him/her.  The decoy made it clear that he/she was under 21.  The three men cited range in age from 51-70 years old.

“You’re not doing anyone any favors by purchasing alcohol for someone under 21,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “ABC agents team with local law enforcement officers to conduct these shoulder tap operations in an effort to keep alcohol from those under 21 and keep our communities safe.”

Under age drinking can lead to driving under the influence, vehicle accidents, assaults, sex assaults and violent crime.  “We asked people to just say no,” said Barcelona.  “If approached by someone asking you to purchase liquor for them, tell them it’s against the law. It’s that simple.”