December 2, 2025 – SALINAS, CA – Monterey County Sheriff’s Office officials report that agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) arrested three suspects on November 30, 2025, for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. The operation was conducted in the City of Salinas.

ABC agents and local law enforcement conducted a Shoulder Tap operation which targets adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

“Underage alcohol use has real and lasting impacts on our community. By working to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors, we’re strengthening public safety and helping keep our communities and our youth safer,” said Sheriff Tina Nieto.

“ABC conducts these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “We can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs by preventing underage drinking.”

Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program.

Source: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office