CCSO teams with ABT in undercover operation regarding alcohol sales
Graphic courtesy of CCSO.
Citrus County, Florida - Earlier this month, detectives with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office teamed with investigators with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) to conduct an undercover enforcement effort to see if local retailers were adhering to their license to sell alcohol and tobacco products. During this operation, 21 random establishments in Citrus County were visited, to test their internal processes concerning the sales of alcohol or tobacco to minors.
"The sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors is irresponsible and preventable just by a simple check of an identification card," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "I am proud of those establishments that follow the law and do their part to help keep our community safe. We will continue to work with our colleagues at the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to conduct these compliance checks throughout the year."
The below establishments WERE NOT in compliance with their licensure:
• Brothers Pizza - 6746 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River:
1 misdemeanor citation was issued.
• Joe Elders Coney Island - 674 NE 5th Street, Crystal River:
2 violations occurred; a 17-year-old sold to the minor. The manager was also issued a citation due to the 17 year-old not being allowed to sell alcohol.
• Strickland's Convenience Store - 5378 S. Cherokee Way, Homosassa:
1 misdemeanor citation was issued.
• Florida Cracker Monkey Bar & Kitchen - 5297 S. Cherokee Way, Homosassa:
The business received an administration violation, for violation of Florida Statute 562.12, due to selling a cocktail "To Go" and allowing the individual (an adult, not a minor) to walk off the premises with alcohol meant to be consumed on the licensed premises.
These below establishments WERE in compliance with their licensure:
• Copp Winery - 785 W. Gulf To Lake Hwy, Crystal River
• Wawa - 505 US Hwy 19, Crystal River
• Oysters Restaurant - 606 NE US Hwy 19, Crystal River
• Crystal River Shell - 639 639 NE US Hwy 19, Crystal River
• Bubbaques - 631 N. Citrus Ave., Crystal River
• Kane's Cattle Company - 508 N. Citrus Ave., Crystal River
• Norton's Riverside - 16 NE 5th Street, Crystal River
• Taps and Caps Pub - 3782 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto
• Lecanto Food Mart - 3761 W. Homosassa Trl., Lecanto
• Rocco's Cafe - 6612 Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River
• Sugar Mill Liquor - 2 6601 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River
• Beef O' Bradys - 6738 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River
• Los Magueye's Mexican Restaurant - 6875 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River
• Race Trac - 3861 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa
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.