ARTESIA – On October 9, 2020, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents posted a revocation notice at an ABC licensed premises operating under the name of Nena’s Cantina, located in the City of Artesia. The business is immediately prohibited from selling, serving and allowing consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Undercover ABC agents visited the location numerous times during an investigation and discovered violations that involved illegal drink solicitations. These violations resulted in a 12-count accusation filed against the licensee’s Type 42 On-Sale Beer and Wine Public Premises License.

Illegal drink solicitation schemes involve bar servers who place a surcharge on alcoholic beverages in exchange for keeping patron’s company. Such practices can contribute to the over service of alcohol which can result in increased DUI’s, public drunkenness and other violations of law.

Nena’s Cantina ABC license was previously suspended for 60 days in 2016 for illegal solicitation of alcohol and two other violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.

“It is important for ABC licensees to abide by California ABC rules and regulations in order to keep patrons and neighboring communities safe,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “ABC agents routinely investigate businesses that sell and serve alcohol in order to protect the public.”