By Gina Yarbrough
San Marcos, CA–San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents conducted undercover alcohol compliance operations Oct. 8 in San Marcos, resulting in two violations involving the sale or furnishing of alcohol to minors, authorities said.
During the Shoulder Tap Operation, an underage decoy attempted to purchase alcohol at five retail locations under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers. One retailer sold alcohol to the decoy.
In a separate decoy operation, the decoy approached adults outside two local liquor stores and asked them to purchase alcohol. The decoy indicated they were underage and unable to buy alcohol themselves. Of the 12 adults contacted, one purchased alcohol for the minor.
Under California law, the penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor includes a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control conducts compliance checks throughout California to reduce underage access to alcohol. According to the agency, young people under 21 have a higher rate of drunken-driving fatalities than the general adult population.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office partners with ABC through the Alcohol Policing Partnership grant program to help prevent underage drinking and other crimes associated with businesses licensed to sell alcohol.
In July 2026, the Sheriff’s Office received a $100,000 grant through the program. The funding supports efforts in communities patrolled by the department to reduce alcohol-related crime and educate businesses licensed by ABC.
Anyone with information about licensed establishments providing alcohol to minors can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or calling the Sheriff’s Office nonemergency line at (858) 868-3200.
