CCSO: "Selling alcohol to the underaged is no minor offense"
Citrus County, Florida - On Friday, September 24, 2021, several agencies, including the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Florida's Bureau of Law Enforcement's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, teamed up for an enforcement sweep targeting the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.
This operation included compliance checks at 16 random establishments, all gas stations and/or convenience stores, in Citrus County, licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Eleven establishments were in compliance with their licensure and did not sell alcohol to a minor, and five establishments were not in compliance with their licensure and did sell alcohol to a minor.
These locations did not sell alcohol to a minor:
Shell gas station - 3502 N. Lecanto Hwy., Beverly Hills
Circle K - 9580 N Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs
BP - 662 NE U.S. Hwy. 19, Crystal River
Circle K - 400 S. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River
BP - 662 NE U.S. Hwy. 19, Crystal River
Kwick Stop - 118 NW U.S. Hwy.19, Crystal River
RaceTrac - 1001 NE 5th St,. Crystal River
RaceTrac - 1030 SE U.S. Hwy. 19, Crystal River
Sunoco - 6971 W. Gulf too Lake Hwy., Crystal River
Holder Food Mart - 033 N. Florida Ave., Hernando
Quick Stop - 6695 N. Carl G. Rose Hwy., Hernando
Country Store - 5511 W. Homosassa Trl., Homosassa
These locations sold alcohol to a minor:
Arana Store - 6164 N. Suncoast Blv.d, Crystal River
Circle K - 6300 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy., Crystal River
Texaco Food Mart - 645 W. Norvell Bryant Hwy., Hernando
Circle K/Mobil - 782 S .Rowe Ter., Lecanto
Lecanto Food Mart - 3761 W. Homosassa Trl., Lecanto
"Sales of alcohol and tobacco to underage minors is very preventable," said Sheriff Prendergast. "For store clerks, it is straightforward, simply ask for and check the ID. We will continue to work with our colleagues at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, continue these compliance checks and keep Citrus County on the right track."
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office and ABT will continue to work constructively with local retail establishments to ensure employees are well educated in Florida Tobacco and Beverage Laws.