honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 11:13 a.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Liquor sold to underage decoys in Maui police sting

The Maui News

WAILUKU – Underage decoys were able to buy liquor at three stores in Hana and Paia during weekend alcohol sting operations, police reported.

Two of the sales occurred at businesses in Hana and one was at a Paia store, police said. In each case, beer was sold to someone under the legal drinking age of 21.

Twenty-one retail establishments in Hana and Upcountry areas were checked during the operation Saturday afternoon and evening, The Maui News reported.

If asked, the decoys were required to produce their identifications and reveal their true ages. In many cases, the youths weren't asked for identification, police said.

Police Juvenile Section officers worked with the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii to carry out the checks.

Police documented three cases of underage liquor sales and will forward reports to the prosecutor's office.

A conviction for the misdemeanor charge of promoting intoxicating liquor to a person under age 21 carries a penalty of up to one year in jail.

Police say the liquor sting operations will continue, along with checks for underage drinking and curfew violations.

Information also will be forwarded to the Liquor Control Commission for possible sanctions for violations of liquor rules.

For more Maui news, visit The Maui News.