Crime & Safety

Deputies Play Drunk to Bust IB Shopkeepers

A deputy acting and smelling intoxicated attempted to buy alcohol from local establishments.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department conducted a “drunk decoy” detail in Imperial Beach Saturday to see if businesses that sell alcohol would sell to a deputy posing as an intoxicated customer.

The deputy was sprayed with alcohol and acted drunk as he entered the businesses and attempted to buy alcohol. Of the 11 businesses that were visited, six sold alcohol to the decoy, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Plain-clothes deputies re-entered the establishments and contacted the employees that sold alcohol to the decoy, but no citations were issued. The employees were given handouts and advice on spotting intoxicated customers.

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Agents from Alcoholic Beverage Control assisted in the detail, which was funded by a $100,000 grant from ABC.   

The detail also visited businesses in Bonita. The names of the businesses targeted were not released by the Sheriff’s Department.

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