SAN MARCOS — Deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, alongside agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and a minor decoy, conducted sting operations at various locations in San Marcos, authorities said Friday.
On Thursday, a shoulder tap operation was conducted outside two local liquor stores, where a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer asked adults to purchase alcohol. The minor indicated they were underage and could not legally buy alcohol, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
During a separate minor decoy operation, the minor visited five retailers and attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages under the direct supervision of peace officers. One location sold alcohol to the minor.
Twelve adults were contacted during the shoulder tap operation, and one adult purchased alcohol for the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
ABC conducts compliance checks statewide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Statistics show that people under age 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.
The Sheriff’s Office partners with ABC through the Alcohol Policing Partnership grant to help prevent underage drinking and other crimes that may occur at ABC-licensed establishments.
In July 2026, the Sheriff’s Office received a $100,000 Alcohol Policing Partnership grant. The department is using the funds in communities it patrols to reduce alcohol-related crimes and support ABC-licensed businesses.
The program aims to strengthen collaboration between ABC and local law enforcement agencies to improve public safety, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone with information about licensed liquor establishments providing alcohol to minors can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or the Sheriff’s Office nonemergency line at 858-868-3200.
