“Conducted statewide, and on a regular basis, these minor decoy operations help to keep us safe from harm. In addition, they educate clerks and licensees.  It’s a simple task to ask for, and to check someone’s identification for a date of birth.  That simple task in itself can contribute to the safety of young people and the public.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

DELANO – On June 25, 2023, California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)agents, along with officers from the Delano Police Department cited four clerks for selling alcohol to minors.

In addition, two minors were cited for possession of alcohol during a traffic stop.

The actions were the result of a decoy operation in which a decoy under the age of 21 and under the direct supervision of agents, attempted to purchase alcohol from 23 retail licensees in Delano.

Clerks were cited at:

County Line Market; 1410 County Line Road

Chevron; 906 Fremont Street

Lucky 7; 2340 High Street

Delano Liquor; 2240 Girard Street

Those who sold to the decoy face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

ABC is conducting the compliance checks statewide to reduce the availability of alcohol to those under 21. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.