Decoy Operations In Marin Co. Held Saturday To Reduce Teen Drinking

MARIN COUNTY, CA – Police conducted minor decoy and shoulder tap operations Saturday in San Rafael that led to four citations, police said.

During the minor decoy operation, minors under the direct supervision of police attempted to purchase alcohol from 15 retailers. One retailer, Mi Pueblo Market located at 330 Bellam Blvd., sold alcohol to the decoy, and two clerks who inspected the decoy's identification were cited for selling the alcohol.

The two individuals cited in this operation were identified as Vanessa Fernandez, 20, of Richmond, and Gloria Duarte, 23, of San Pablo.

Retailers selling alcohol to minors face a minimum fine of $250 or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. Businesses could also face fines, suspension or revocation of a liquor license, according to
police.

Police also conducted a decoy shoulder tap operation, which targets adults who purchase alcohol for people under the age of 21. During the operation, a minor stands outside a liquor or convenience store and asks patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates that he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If the adults agree to make the purchase, officers arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor.

Of the 44 adults the decoy asked to purchase alcohol, two agreed and they were both cited and released, police said. They were identified as Fidel Cortez, 50, of Berkeley, and Rakia Minard, 39, of San Rafael.

The penalty for purchasing alcohol for a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
Law enforcement officials are conducting compliance checks statewide in order to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors, police said.

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--Bay City News/Image via Susan Schena, Patch