Acadiana's News Leader Multiple Stores Target of Sting

Multiple Stores Target of Sting

    Some Opelousas businesses are now facing some serious repercussions after law enforcement found them selling alcohol to a minor.

      Both Opelousas Police and Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control said it was the joint effort that made this particular sting so successful.     

Law enforcement sent a clear message to businesses Thursday. And that message was underage drinking will not be tolerated. And to make their message heard, they took action.

Opelousas Police Lieutenant Donald Young said, "They were not carding. This individual that we used was able to walk into the store, no questions asked, was able to make a purchase on audio and video."

     Out of six stores targeted, four did not pass the test. Police say the stores failed to card their 19-year-old decoy. But at one spot, they also found another violation.

Special Agent Bruce Alsandor said, "The store did sell to the individual and as a result of that, we also came into the store, we also witnessed the sale of a single cigarette, which is a violation of the law."

In addition to those violations, synthetic marijuana was also found at one store. However, Public Information Officer Darren Zachary said those charges are pending. "We have to take those items, those packets, send them off, make sure that they're tested for those particular precursors before we can move forward with any charges," Zachary said.

     Numerous complaints against the establishments prompted the sting.

     Police say seven administrative violations were issued for the stores and four criminal violations to clerks who sold the alcohol.

     The numbers, they say, show their operation worked.

 Young said, "Oh, (we're) very pleased. I tell you, this is not over with. We're going to go through some more checks. Simply, people need to start carding people. You know? Just follow the law."

     Police said  they're going to continue their efforts until their message is clear.

 "Obviously we have a problem out here and we're going to do everything that we can to combat the situation," said Alsandor.

            Police later said all establishments, as well as the store clerks who were issued violations will have to appear in court and are facing fines.

-Caroline Balchunas