BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A Delano clerk and four others were arrested over the weekend after authorities said the employee sold alcohol to minors during a compliance operation and four suspects allegedly bought alcohol for minors. The operation was conducted by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the Delano Police Department.
The clerk arrest stemmed from a Minor Decoy operation on Saturday, April 11, 2026, when minors working under the supervision of department agents attempted to buy alcohol from eight businesses in Delano.
Delano PD said on Wednesday evening that four other people were arrested for allegedly selling alcohol to minors on April 11 in a separate Shoulder Tap Operation. No further details were provided in the statement.
Officials said clerks who sell alcohol to minors face a minimum fine of $250 and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. Authorities also said ABC may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor, including a fine, suspension, or permanent revocation of the license.
Officials stated that if an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for a minor, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
“Conducting these operations allow us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” Delano Police Chief Jerry Nicholson stated.
Delano police said statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Funding for the program was provided by a grant from ABC through the department’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program.