“This is another example of the type of undercover work that is conducted by California ABC agents.  They work to be sure licensees are not breaking the law and they work to protect the public.”

– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

OXNARD – On September 10, 2024, the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced that ABC agents, along with the Ontario Police Department and Union Pacific Railroad Police, arrested two liquor store owners in Oxnard and Los Angeles following an investigation involving the sale of purportedly stolen alcoholic beverages and illegal narcotic paraphernalia at an ABC-licensed premises.

The 30-year-old owner of Sam’s Liquor, located at 212 W. Holt Blvd., was arrested for violation of PC 496(a) and PC 182(a)—purchasing purportedly stolen property and criminal conspiracy, respectively. The suspect was taken into custody by the Ontario Police Department. The charges come after the suspect allegedly purchased purportedly stolen alcoholic beverages from undercover agents on three separate occasions. Additionally, it is alleged the suspect sold narcotics paraphernalia to the agents. Agents discovered more narcotics paraphernalia in the store during the operation.

A 66-year-old male suspect was also cited for purchasing stolen goods. The male suspect, who was on the premises at the time, is an ABC licensee who owns a separate liquor store in East Los Angeles and had also been under investigation.

ABC’s investigation began after Union Pacific Railroad filed a complaint noting cases of alcoholic beverages were being stolen from trains and possibly being sold to liquor stores in Ontario. ABC will seek disciplinary action against the licensees.