Lodi police officers and California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents arrested two people last week during an undercover operation targeting adults who purchase alcohol for minors, authorities announced.
The arrests came during a “shoulder tap” operation, an enforcement effort designed to identify adults willing to buy alcoholic beverages for people younger than 21.
During the operation, an underage person working under the direct supervision of law enforcement stood outside liquor and convenience stores and asked customers to purchase alcohol on their behalf, authorities said. As part of the interaction, the youth told customers they were underage and could not legally buy alcohol.
Authorities arrested two people on Oct. 30 on suspicion of furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors, the Lodi Police Department said in a news release.
California law imposes a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service for such offenses.
“Underage drinking harms our community,” Lodi police Sgt. Ryan La Rue said in a statement. “. Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors will help to increase public safety and make our roads safer.”
ABC regularly conducts “shoulder tap” operations throughout California as part of its efforts to reduce underage drinking and alcohol-related crashes.
“ABC conducts these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” acting director Frank Robles said in a statement. “We can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs by preventing underage drinking.”
The agency cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data highlighting the risks associated with underage drinking and driving, including the heightened crash risk among drivers younger than 21.
A grant through ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program funded the operation. The program provides resources to local law enforcement agencies to address alcohol-related violations and improve public safety.
Authorities did not identify the two suspects or disclose where the arrests occurred.