Northland police and health officials are disappointed with the mixed results of a recent sting targeting the illegal sale of alcohol to minors, after two of 37 licensed premises were prepared to sell booze to people aged under 18.
Police and Northland District Health Board staff recently carried out Controlled Purchase Operations (CPO) at licensed premises in the Bay of Islands and Whangarei areas with mixed results.
During the two-day operation, under-age volunteers tried to purchase alcohol from off-license premises. Two of the 18 licensed premises in the Bay of Islands sold to an under-age teen, while no sales were made in the Whangarei operation, where 19 premises were tested.
Kerikeri Police alcohol harm reduction officer Constable Graeme Wright said the result was disappointing. "The majority of our licensed premises remain compliant; however, this operation not only checked compliance of off-licensed premises, it also included a check of a special licensed event. A number of wineries in our region apply for special licences to sell alcohol at our local markets and shows throughout the year.
"Unfortunately, the operation found a local winery sold a bottle of wine to the under-age teen at a local market," Mr Wright said.
