7 Busted For Buying Booze For Minors: Police

LONG BEACH, CA — Seven people were cited in separate undercover stings targeting alcohol sales to minors, Long Beach police announced Wednesday.

The stings, known as Shoulder Tap Operations, took place in Long Beach between February and March, according to police.

The LBPD said the operation involves using a decoy, under law enforcement supervision, who loiters outside a liquor store letting customers know they are underage and asking if they can buy them alcohol.

Adults who agreed to buy the decoy alcohol were cited, police said. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to an underage person is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service, according to the LBPD.

“We conduct these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “By preventing underage drinking, we can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs.”

Funding for this operation comes from a grant given to the department by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control through the Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program.