Fortuna Police Partners with cites two people for furnishing alcohol to Minors

Fortuna, Ca., (KIEM) A state-wide sting operation results in two arrests and citations for purchasing alcohol for minors.

The Fortuna Police Department took part in a sting operation called Operation Shoulder Tap.

The goal? To raise awareness for underage drinking and to hopefully warn adults of the dangers for those who buy alcohol for minors.

Over the weekend, Alcoholic Beverage Control agents and law enforcement agencies conducted a similar program called the Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation.

Under the program, a supervised minor will stand outside of a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor will then indicate that he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

If the adult agrees, and makes the purchase, officers will then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor.

Police say the penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

As a result of this weeks operation, 16 people were contacted by the minor decoy at various locations within the city of Fortuna. Of those, two were cited for furnishing alcohol to the minor.