Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) continue to utilize programs that help prevent the sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages by under-aged minors. Along with our educational programs, such as the Standardized Training for Alcohol Retailers (STAR) presentations that are offered to ABC licensees and their employees, the LAPD incorporates enforcement programs such as the Minor Decoy, Shoulder Tap and undercover operations to prevent the sale to minors.

One problem that continues to impact ABC licensed establishments is the use of fictitious identification by under-aged minors to purchase alcoholic beverages. In an effort to apprehend those individuals that are in possession of fictitious identification, the Department of ABC and the LAPD conducted a Operation "Trapdoor" on Thursday night, March 10, 2005.

Operation Trapdoor uses undercover officers to assist ABC establishments, such as bars, liquor stores and nightclubs, with the verification of identifications. During the operation, law enforcement personnel checked the identification of patrons at three separate ABC licensed locations. The result was 13 arrests, 7 for possession of fictitious identification and the remaining arrests were using someone else's identification to purchase an alcoholic beverage. Many of the violators were college students, who didn't realize the criminal ramifications involved with the use or possession of a fictitious identification.

This enforcement is used to assist ABC establishments and does not go against their license. Violators found in possession of a counterfeit identification can face a $250 to $500 fine and 24 hours of community service. The LAPD and the Department of ABC will continue to use this program during future investigations in an effort to prevent the sales of alcoholic beverages to under aged individuals.

For further information regarding these programs, contact Sergeant Rafael Ramirez, Operation ABC at 213-473-7654.

This news release was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.