Polk County made a move last week to curb the illegal sale of alcohol to minor with a targeted sting operation dubbed Operation Pop Top. The initiative, carried out by deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, sets its eyes on convenience stores that might be slipping alcoholic beverages across the counter to those not legally permitted to purchase them. The sting yesterday incorporated compliance checks at select convenience stores across Auburndale and Lakeland, with the help of high-school-aged cadets who are considering careers in law enforcement.
During the operation yesterday, a 17-year-old member of PCSO's Cadet 1000 played an undercover role in the compliance checks. The cadet was tasked with attempting to purchase alcohol underage at seven different retail locations. According to Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the initiative isn't merely punitive but aims to shield the youth from the potential harms associated with underage drinking and to ensure that businesses uphold the law. Sheriff Grady Judd stated, “We run these operations to protect young people from the dangers of underage drinking, and to hold businesses accountable for following the law. Our Cadets play an important role in helping us identify violations, and they are always safe and supervised during the process.”
In what appears as a mostly law-abiding landscape, only one store, the Auburndale Sunoco on 420 Magnolia Ave, faltered. There, a sales clerk, 47-year-old Jonathan Llamas, sold alcohol to the underage cadet. Llamas now faces misdemeanor charges, as confirmed by law enforcement, for the Sale of Alcohol to a Person under 21. Operation Pop Top is one of many strategies employed by the PCSO to enforce legal compliance among retailers.
