SELMA – On January 19, 2019, California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and Selma Police Department officers conducted a decoy operation targeting underage drinking and those who sell alcohol to people under 21.

The decoys attempted to buy alcohol at five locations and were able to do so at two businesses, the Spike and Rail restaurant and the El Mercado supermarket.

“Clerks and servers must check identification to be sure they are not selling or serving alcohol to those under 21,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “A successful operation is when no businesses sell alcohol to an ABC decoy.  Knowing that ABC agents conduct these operations on a routine basis leads to more diligence by clerks and servers to ask customers for their IDs.”

Those who sell alcohol to someone under 21 face fines and/or community service.  ABC also takes administrative action against the business’ ABC license.