Posted: March 22, 2023
Punta Gorda Police Detectives and State Investigators from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) Bureau of Law Enforcement teamed up on March 20, 2023, for an enforcement sweep in the City of Punta Gorda targeting the sale of alcoholic beverage to minors. The operation included compliance checks of a total of ten (10) local commercial establishments within the City of Punta Gorda licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Eight (8) establishments that were open for business were found to be in compliance.
The commercial establishments that were found to be in compliance and did NOT sell alcohol to a minor were:
- Murphy Oil (26359 Jones Loop Road)
- Walmart (5001 Taylor Road)
- Sunoco (1001 Burnt Store Road)
- Publix (3941 Tamiami Trail)
- Circle K (3949 Tamiami Trail)
- Walgreens (3795 Tamiami Trail)
- 7-Eleven (3139 Tamiami Trail)
- Circle K (3035 Tamiami Trail)
The two (2) commercial establishments that were found NOT to be in compliance and DID sell alcohol to a minor were:
- CVS (1949 Tamiami Trail)
- Publix (2310 Tamiami Trail)
State investigators conducted follow-up compliance checks at two locations, both were found to be in compliance:
- The Belgian Monk (318 Tamiami Trail, #111)
- Isabel and Annabel’s Mexican Restaurant (201 W. Marion Avenue)
This operation was the result of a continuing partnership between ABT and the Punta Gorda Police Department to curb the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco to minors. The Punta Gorda Police Department, along with Drug Free Charlotte County and ABT, will continue to work constructively with local retail establishments where violations occur to ensure that employees are educated regarding Florida law. Operations like this one will continue.
Chief Pamela Davis urges all individuals to report the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco to law enforcement. Violations within the incorporated city limits of Punta Gorda can be reported to the Punta Gorda Police Department by calling 941-639-4111.