HARTFORD, March 26 – On the afternoon of Saturday, March 24, 2012 agents from the Department of Consumer Protection Liquor Control Division and officers from the Branford Police Department conducted compliance checks of 16 package stores and grocery stores that sell beer in the town of Branford. 

A volunteer minor who had been trained by the Governor's Prevention Partnership assisted with the compliance checks. Of the 16 stores tested, one store failed by allegedly selling alcohol to the volunteer youth.

“Compliance checks help us to identify businesses that are selling to minors, and we routinely conduct random checks in towns across the state,” Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said. “Our objective is to find businesses that knowingly or unknowingly sell alcohol to minors and bring them into compliance with state law.” 

However, he added, compliance checks are not intended to hurt local businesses.
 

“We don’t try to trick or entice establishments to sell alcoholic beverages to youth,” Rubenstein said. “If asked for proof of age before making a liquor purchase, the volunteer youth will hand over his or her actual photo I.D.”

The store which allegedly failed is Route 1 Wine and Liquor, 803 West Main Street, Branford.

Commissioner Rubenstein thanked the Branford Police Department and the Governor's Prevention Partnership for their support of Saturday’s compliance operation.

The business that allegedly sold to the minor will be brought before the Liquor Control Commission for an administrative hearing, at which time it will have an opportunity to address the charges.

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