Supermarket, Liquor Stores Sold Alcohol To Underage Hoboken Cop In Sting: Police

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Hoboken police have charged six supermarkets and liquor stores with selling alcohol to an underage patron, they said Wednesday.

The police said that in a two-week sting, an undercover 20-year-old officer visited 21 stores to try to buy liquor.

The operation, led by Lt. Charles Kucz and Sgt. Anthony Caruso of HPD’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Unit, was initiated in response to community concerns, police said.

Police said six of the 21 stores sold alcohol to the officer without requesting identification.

In New Jersey, one must be 21 or older to buy alcohol. The drinking age was changed from 19 to 21 in New Jersey in 1983.

Police said the stores included:

• Hoboken Vine, 400 Newark St.
• Wine Station, 211 Washington St.
• Delite Supermarket, 420 Washington St.
• ACME, 614 Clinton St.
• Cheese & Wine Hoboken, 720 Monroe St.
• Cork Wine & Spirits, 1450 Washington St.

The liquor license holder at each of these locations faces administrative charges, with hearings to be scheduled before the Hoboken ABC Board, a police spokeswoman said. If found guilty, the store may be responsible for penalties including fines or having their liquor license suspended or revoked.

Additionally, the cashiers who sold the alcohol were charged with selling alcoholic beverages to an underage person, a disorderly person’s offense, police said.

If found guilty, the cashiers face fines up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail.

“This operation emphasizes the importance of all stores following State and local alcohol-related laws, which our department will continue to enforce,” said Kucz. “These regulations are in place to ensure public safety, and HPD remains committed to addressing the illegal sale of alcohol to those underage in our community.”

For more information about the ABC unit, go to: https://hobokenpdnj.gov/alcoholic-beverage-control-unit/