2 Cited In Marin Booze Sting

NOVATO, CA — Two people were cited Sunday on suspicion of furnishing alcohol to minors, the Novato Police Department said.

Both suspects were ensnared in a sting during which nine people were asked to buy alcohol for a minor according to police.

The sting was part of state program that allows a minor under the supervision of an officer to stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol, police said.

The sting involves the minor informing the patron that they are underage according to police.

The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

The Decoy Shoulder Tap operation is part of the state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's Minor Decoy/Shoulder Tap Grant Project.

The program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.