Santee Bar, Adult Cited In Underage Alcohol Operations

SANTEE, CA — A Santee bar sold alcohol to a minor decoy and an adult purchased alcohol for a minor during San Diego County Sheriff’s Department operations targeting underage alcohol sales and purchases, authorities said.

Deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, along with California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents and two minor decoys, conducted the operations Aug. 13 at businesses in Santee, Lakeside and Encinitas.

During the minor decoy operation, a decoy attempted to buy alcohol at six locations under the supervision of deputies. One Santee bar sold alcohol to the decoy, the sheriff's office said.

In a separate "shoulder tap" operation, a minor decoy approached adults outside six liquor stores and asked them to buy alcohol. The decoy indicated they were underage and could not purchase alcohol.

Deputies contacted 36 adults, one of whom purchased alcohol for the minor, officials said.

Providing alcohol to a minor carries a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The operations were conducted in partnership with ABC through a grant program aimed at reducing underage drinking and alcohol-related crimes. The sheriff's office received a $100,000 grant in July to support efforts to prevent underage drinking and educate alcohol-licensed businesses.

Anyone with information about businesses providing alcohol to minors can anonymously contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or the sheriff's office non-emergency line at 858-868-3200.