NEWPORT BEACH – On March 18, 2025, the Newport Beach Police Department announced the outcome of a Minor Decoy Operation it conducted with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) earlier in the month.
On Friday, March 7, 2025, ABC agents and Newport Beach Police Department detectives supervised decoys under the age of 21 who attempt to purchase alcohol at eight different locations. The decoys were successful in purchasing alcohol at three businesses.
Citations for alcohol sales to a person under 21 were issued at:
- Bear Flag Fish Company (3421 Via Lido),
- Great Mex Grill (703 E. Balboa),
- and 22nd Street Pizza (2200 W. Oceanfront).
“Great job to the servers and sellers of alcohol at the five locations in which the underage decoys were not able to purchase alcohol. We always hope for a success rate of 100 percent, in which all server card patrons and decline to serve or sell those under age. We appreciate the efforts of California ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners to educate servers, prevent alcohol use among those under the age of 21, and for protecting the public,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from ABC through the department’s Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) Grant program. Minor Decoy Operations are a required component of the grant and have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s.
Those who sell alcoholic beverages to minors may face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or 24-32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license belonging to the businesses where the sales to minors occurred. Possible repercussions include fines, suspension of the establishment’s liquor license, or the permanent revocation of the license.
