The Modesto Police Department arrested eight people Saturday, April 25, on suspicion of furnishing alcohol to minors during an enforcement operation targeting illegal alcohol sales, authorities said Friday.

Three of those arrested also faced additional charges, including felony warrants and a post-release community supervision violation, police said. The operation was conducted in Modesto.

Police used a “shoulder tap” operation, in which a minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to purchase alcohol. The minor tells the adult they are under 21 and cannot legally buy alcohol.

Adults who agree to make the purchase can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor, an offense that carries a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service, according to police.

State alcohol regulators also emphasized the broader goal of the operation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 25% of fatal crashes involve underage drinking, and drivers under 21 face a significantly higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers.

The operation was funded through a grant from the ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership program.

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