Taupo stores caught selling liquor to minor

By ROSALEEN MACBRAYNE

Six liquor outlets in Taupo have been caught selling alcohol to a minor.

Police undertook what Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen described as "a controlled purchase operation" in conjunction with Taupo District Council and Toi Te Ora Public Health.

They sent a 17-year-old volunteer to buy alcohol at 11 premises. Four of eight bottle stores and two of three convenience stores sold it to him.

Mr Jeurissen said the results were disappointing.

The police had warned all the outlets the operation would take place.

One of the stores sold the youth alcohol even after asking for identification or proof of age.

A similar exercise last year detected two out of nine establishments selling alcohol illegally.

Mr Jeurissen said those who made the sales last week would be called to a meeting with the three agencies to discuss what action would be taken against them.

He expected the licensees would also appear before the Liquor Licensing Authority.