“It’s easy to follow the law here and help contribute to public safety, simply by refusing to purchase or furnish alcohol to those under the age of 21.  ABC agents conduct these shoulder tap operations year-round with their local law enforcement partners throughout the entire state.  It’s important that we all do our part to help keep one another safe.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

DELANO – On January 23, 2026, agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and Delano Police officers arrested two people for furnishing alcoholic beverages to someone under the age of 21.

The law enforcement officers conducted a shoulder tap operation which targets adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

“Shoulder tap operations are a proactive way for us to prevent alcohol related tragedies before they happen. By holding adults accountable for providing alcohol to minors, we are sending a clear message that underage drinking will not be tolerated in our community. These operations are not about punishment, they are about prevention, education, and protecting our youth and the safety of everyone on our roadways.” said Delano Police Chief Jerry Nicholson.

If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they 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.

“ABC conducts these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Acting Director Frank Robles. “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).