MONTEREY COUNTY – On January 10-11, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents worked with Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies to conduct enforcement operations aimed at reducing underage access to alcohol. As a result of the operations, three people were cited, two clerks who sold alcohol to a minor, and an adult who purchased alcohol for a minor.
On January 10th, the team of law enforcement officers visited 19 retail establishments in the City of Salinas. Under the supervision of the officers, a decoy, under the age of 21 attempted to purchase alcohol. Two clerks who sold alcohol to the underage decoy face a minimum fine of $250 and 24 to 32 hours of community service for the first violation. Additionally, ABC my take administrative action against the alcohol beverage licenses of businesses involved, which could include fines, suspension, or permanent revocation of their licenses.
On January 11th, a Shoulder Tap Operation was conducted in North Monterey County. This operation targeted adults who purchase alcohol for individuals under the age of 21. A minor, in direct supervision of law enforcement, stood outside liquor and convenience stores and asked customers to buy alcohol on their behalf, explicitly saying they were underage and unable to purchase the alcohol themselves. One adult was cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor and now faces a minimum fine of $1000 and 24 hours of community service.
“We appreciate the teamwork between ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners to educate clerks and the public about underage drinking and the consequences of selling or furnishing alcohol to someone under 21. This work helps to prevent underage drinking which protects us all out on the roads and in our communities,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.
