“Saying no to someone under 21 who is asking you to provide alcohol for them is a huge plus for public safety, and we can all do our part.  Simply and politely decline.  Thank you to our ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners for conducting these operations.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SALINAS – On November 30, 2025, agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office arrested three suspects for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. The operation was conducted in the City of Salinas.

ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners conducted a shoulder tap operation which targets adults who purchase alcohol for someone under the age of 21. During a shoulder tap operation, decoys, under the direct supervision of law enforcement and under the age of 21, stand outside of a liquor or convenience store and ask customers to buy alcohol for them, explaining they are not 21 years of age.

Adults who purchase alcohol for the underage person can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

“Underage alcohol use has real and lasting impacts on our community. By working to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors, we’re strengthening public safety and helping keep our communities and our youth safer,” said Sheriff Tina Nieto.

“ABC conducts these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy.  “We can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs by preventing underage drinking.”

Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).