One Arrested in Monterey County During Statewide Alcohol Enforcement Operation
MONTEREY, CA – On March 14, 2026, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office participated in a Statewide Shoulder Tap Operation, resulting in the arrest of one individual for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. The operation, conducted in Monterey County, involved law enforcement contacting a total of 20 people across four different locations.
The enforcement effort was a collaboration between Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and local law enforcement. During a Shoulder Tap operation, a minor working under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside a convenience or liquor store and asks patrons to purchase alcohol for them, explicitly stating they are under the age of 21. Adults who agree to purchase alcohol for the minor can be arrested and cited. Under California law, the penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor includes a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
Sheriff Tina Nieto stated that the partnership with ABC is intended to reinforce the message that providing alcohol to minors carries legal consequences. ABC Director Paul Tupy noted that these operations are conducted to reduce underage drinking and improve community safety. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 25 percent of fatal vehicle crashes involve underage drinking.
Funding for the enforcement program was provided by a grant from the ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership program. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control maintains a mission of providing public safety through a combination of licensing, education, and enforcement activities.
