GARDEN GROVE : Police Arrest 16 in Liquor Sales Stings
Police officers arrested 16 people on suspicion of selling alcoholic beverages to minors in a decoy program that sent police cadets into local businesses to try to buy alcoholic beverages, authorities said Monday.
In an effort to curb drinking and driving among youths, police said, they sent three 19-year-old cadets into 70 Garden Grove establishments that included liquor stores, mini-marts and bars to purchase liquor last Thursday and Friday.
As a result, 16 people who allegedly sold liquor to the decoys were cited and released on the misdemeanor charge, according to Police Officer John Enriquez.
Each cadet attempted to buy liquor with marked $5 and $10 bills, Enriquez said.
If the minors were successful in making the purchase, usually without the seller asking for identification, officers would come in to make the arrests, Enriquez said.
“At least once a year, normally around the holiday season, we would do some type of program to make people more aware of the dangers of alcohol,” Enriquez said.
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