Dozens of store clerks in Wake County face criminal charges after an operation aimed at reducing underage drinking.
On June 18 and 19, Wake County ABC Law Enforcement conducted a coordinated enforcement operation aimed at reducing underage alcohol sales across Wake County.
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The two-day initiative included compliance checks in every municipality within the county. The operation used what ABC officials call a minor campaign.
Wake County ABC Law Enforcement Assistant Chief Eric McLeod explained that a minor campaign consists of sending people who are 18 and 19 into stores to purchase alcohol.
These operations were conducted in stores like Walmart, Target, gas stations, drugstores, Dollar Generals—anywhere that could sell alcohol throughout Wake County, said McLeod.
"They're obviously under the supervision of law enforcement and they're using their real ID," said McLeod. "We're not trying to trick the clerk or anybody inside the store. We either have the store clerk check their ID, don't check their ID or make the sale or don't make the sale."
The operation conducted 193 compliance checks and found 41 businesses were in violation.
Over 30 clerks face charges of selling alcohol to a person under 21 years of age.
Four store clerks, identified as juveniles, will not be criminally cited. However, legal action will be pursued through appropriate channels.
One store owner was charged with selling alcohol without valid ABC permits after it was discovered the store continued sales despite expired permits.
McLeod said that this operation was the largest they've done. ABC usually conducts these checks three to four times a year, especially when it's about to be summer.
ABC officials say it's important to conduct this kind of operation as summer starts, teenagers are out of school and Fourth of July celebrations begin.