PORT HADLOCK — Three stores reportedly were caught selling alcoholic beverages to underage customers in a weekend sting operation jointly operated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the state Liquor Control Board.
The three stores caught in violation of state laws were Hadlock Liquor Agency No. 514, 690 Nesses Corner Road; Hadlock 76 at 1100 Nesses Corner Road; and Chimacum Crossroads Corner, 9122 Rhody Drive.
The operation included a minor who was sent in to buy liquor and made a successful purchase.
Immediately following, law enforcement personnel entered the store and informed clerks on duty of the infraction.
The clerks who furnished alcohol in those cases received a $500 criminal citation, and the establishments received an Administrative Violation Notice, with a penalty based on their history over the previous two years.
The penalty for the first offense is a five-day license suspension or a $500 fine, a second offense is a seven-day suspension with no monetary option, a third offense is a 30-day suspension with no monetary option, and a fourth offense is cancellation of the license.
All penalties are administered by the Liquor Control Board.
Nine businesses were approached in Saturday’s sting.
The six which complied with the law and refused to sell liquor to the specific minor were QFC, 1890 Irondale Road; Inn at Port Hadlock, 310 Hadlock Bay Road; Heron Beach Inn, One Heron Road; Port Ludlow Village Store, 40 Village Way; Snug Harbor Cafe, 9526 Oak Bay Road and Beaver Valley General Store, 2593 Beaver Valley Road.
Jefferson County Sheriff Tony Hernandez said the random checks using a designated buyer younger than 21 is part of the county’s strategy to combat drinking among teenagers.
“We won’t say when we run these checks because we depend on the element of surprise,” Hernandez said.
“This is one of the many ways we work to keep liquor out of the hands of the underage population.”
The State Liquor Control Board’s toll tip line to report sales of alcoholic beverages to minors is 360-664-9878.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.