ABC conducts Salinas sting, cites four
Agents from the Salinas and San Jose District Offices of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control cited four persons at four off-sale retail locations for selling alcohol to minors on Saturday, July 19.
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 retail licensees in Salinas.
The ABC has identified those Salinas locations that were cited as La Marketa on 634 North Main Street, CVS at 662 Boronda, MJ Market at 631 E. Alvin Street and Rodeo Market at 634 Sherwood Avenue.
Those who sold to the minor face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage licenses of the businesses that sold alcohol to a minor decoy. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.
ABC is conducting the compliance checks state-wide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.
Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.
Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980’s. In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of underage decoys is a valid tool of law enforcement to ensure that licensees are complying with the law.
