Seven businesses operating in the Porirua Basin will face likely action from the Liquor Licensing Authority after being caught selling alcohol to minors in a Friday night ‘sting’ operation.
The consequences of breaching the Sale of Liquor Act can be hefty with penalties from $2000 through to trading licence suspensions.
The combined police, DLA and regional health team targeted 20 premises ranging from supermarkets through to traditional bottle stores and the small corner-dairy operations.
Two volunteers, a 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, were used in the controlled purchase operation. Their job was to try and buy a bottle of wine, some pre mixed drinks or beer and to see if a sale was made without retail staff asking for proof of age identification.
"Our buyers deliberately sought out more mature counter staff so it was a bit disappointing to end up with breaches at seven businesses," Senior Sergeant Sargent said.
The offending premises included a supermarket, three bottle stores and three small foodmart businesses.
Police, the DLA and regional public health will be following up the operation with all points of alcohol sale in the Porirua Basin.
"Friday night’s operation was the first in quite a while in this area but it certainly won’t be the last," says Raymond Matthews, Regional Public Health Service.