Stores, Individual Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minors

Six stores and one man have been cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to minors during three sting operations conducted by the police department, officials reported today.

, , , , One Stop Grocer and all sold alcohol to underage members of the 's Explorer program, according to Spokeswoman Liz Wylie. A Mountain View man, Francisco Leos, 52, received the citation when he purchased alcohol for an Explorer who told him she was underage and asked if he'd buy alcohol for her if she gave him money to do so.

The operations took place between Feb. 18 and Mar. 16 and targeted 47 businesses. At these the Explorers attempted to purchase alcohol without an ID.

Every year, explained Wylie, the MVPD conducts random undercover sting operations in an effort to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors. Businesses that were issued citations have also been reported to the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC), she added.

According to the ABC, minor decoy programs have been used by local law enforcement in California since about 1987. The decoys must be younger than 21 years, must carry their own verifiable ID or none at all, and must present it to the business owner if asked. After the purchase has been made, must enter the business with the decoy to that the decoy can identify the seller of the alcohol.