HEMET – In an effort to curb underage drinking and combat the crimes and accidents that are sometimes associated with it, on April 24, 2019, California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents teamed with law enforcement officers from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station to conduct what’s known as a shoulder tap operation.

Agents listened in as decoys under the age of 21 approached people entering three different businesses where alcohol is sold and asked them to buy them alcohol such as beer.  The decoys make it clear that they can’t buy it themselves because they aren’t 21.  During the operation, four adults were arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to minors.

The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

“Those who furnish alcohol to someone under 21 are not seeing the big picture and the possible consequences that can follow once that alcohol is consumed,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “ABC agents are working to protect young people and all of us from becoming victims of crimes and accidents associated with underage drinking.”