EAST BRUNSWICK — Police are continuing to operate undercover in township liquor stores in an effort to stop underage people from purchasing alcohol and to keep adults from buying alcohol for them.
On Nov. 25, detectives from the East Brunswick Police Department made three arrests while working a plainclothes detail at Wine World and Liquors, Route 18.
The officers observed a 24-year-old female from Old Bridge purchase a bottle of vodka and then transfer it to a male, who appeared underage, after she exited from the business. The detectives approached the individual who received the vodka and learned he was a 20- year-old resident of East Brunswick.
The Old Bridge woman was apprehended and charged with purchasing alcoholic beverages for an underage person; the East Brunswick male was charged with having an adult purchase an alcoholic beverage for a minor. Both were released at the scene.
A second 20-year-old male resident of East Brunswick was apprehended at the same business after he attempted to appear of age by using a driver’s license that did not belong to him. He was charged with misrepresenting age in an attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages and released at the scene.
The undercover police operation is part of the national “Cops in Shops” program, which stations officers in retail establishments that sell alcohol. The program is a project conceived by the Century Council, a nonprofit organization based in Washington that is committed to fighting underage drinking. East Brunswick received a $6,000 grant from the state Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to fund the program.
The undercover officers taking part in the “Cops in Shops” program may pose as customers or employees of the establishments. Police said the participating establishments are displaying campaign posters announcing the program.