A police sting saw two central Tauranga liquor stores caught selling alcohol to a 15-year-old girl, without making any attempt to see her identification.
Police and Toi Te Ora Public Health staff visited 26 licensed premises between Te Puke to Te Puna last Thursday and Friday nights.
Western Bay of Plenty police
alcohol harm reduction officer Sergeant Nigel McGlone said two of the visits resulted in the underage volunteer being able to purchase various types of alcohol, with no attempts being made by the sellers to confirm her age.
The sting was carried out because of concerns by authorities and the community that some licensed premises were selling alcohol to people under 18 years of age, despite this being illegal.
Mr McGlone said he was reasonably happy with the results of the operation, but always hoped for "a perfect A".
"A 94 per cent compliance rate on a 'spot check' is pleasing and while you always hope that everyone will comply, as they should, there is always the chance that someone will be lax in their procedures and sell to an underage person."
Liquor outlets in Te Puke, Papamoa, Greerton, central Tauranga and Te Puna were targeted.
"Some were selected because they failed in similar operations in the past and needed to be tested again - others because we have received information about them selling to minors," Mr McGlone said.
Similar operations which ran in the past, combined with information and evidence from the public, have resulted in poor operators being closed down.
Late last month the Liquor Licensing Authority ordered the permanent closure of Mount Maunganui liquor store Omanu Wines and Spirits, for selling to minors.
Mr McGlone would not release the names of the two premises which sold to minors until discussions with the licensees and managers had taken place.
"But suspensions of licences - which will involve a closure of the premises for a period of time - and charges laid in the district court, are an expected outcome," he said.
Mr McGlone said neither premise had been caught selling to minors in the past.
