Local Businesses Busted for Selling Alcohol to Minors

Five local businesses were cited on March 21 for selling alcohol to minors following a sting operation by the Ordinance & Permits Unit of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

The five stores include:

• Food Mart #3 at 6045 Atlanta Highway
• Rio Balsas at 1495 Dahlonega Highway
• Cumming Food Mart at 3275 Dahlonega Highway
• Walgreens at 3290 Keith Bridge Road 
• Chevron at 4325 Browns Bridge Road (this was Chevron’s second offense in 24 months)

Sgt. Josh Watson said those who sold alcohol to the underage buyers were cited for a violation of county ordinance, which states that it is unlawful for a person to sell alcohol to persons under the age of 21. Rio Balsas was issued an additional citation for an employee serving alcohol without an alcohol sales permit.

While the sheriff’s office plans to conduct regular compliance checks of all local businesses licensed to sell alcohol, Sgt. Watson offered this suggestion.

“We urge each business to review the ordinances and stress the importance of complying with them to all employees," he said.

A total of 18 businesses were checked for compliance with laws and ordinances related to the sale of alcohol to underage persons.

“As prom season, graduation, and warmer weather approach, the Sheriff’s Office sees an increase in incidents involving underage drinking,” said Sheriff Duane Piper.

“Ideally, an operation such as this would result in 100 percent compliance from all businesses, meaning no sales to minors. Selling and serving alcohol is a big responsibility, and we expect businesses to take preventing underage drinking seriously.”

The five businesses cited will appear in Magistrate Court to answer to the charges.

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