“Kudos to the 15 clerks who checked IDs and didn’t allow the sale of alcohol to someone under 21.  We appreciate their due diligence and also appreciate ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners for conducting these operations in order to educate, and enforce the law.” 

– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

DELANO – On May 29, 2026, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and Delano Police Department officers arrested a clerk for selling alcohol to someone under the age of 21. The actions were the result of a Minor Decoy operation in which minors under the direct supervision of department agents, attempted to purchase alcohol from 16 retail licensees in Delano.

Clerks who sell to a minor face a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license.

“Conducting these operations allow us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” said Police Chief Jerry Nicholson.

“Licensees should always check identification before selling alcohol,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “Our roadways and communities see improved safety when we prevent access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol.”

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).