Posted: December 14, 2023
Punta Gorda Police Detectives and State Investigators from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) Bureau of Law Enforcement teamed up on December 13, 2023 for an enforcement sweep in the City of Punta Gorda targeting the sale of alcoholic beverage and tobacco products to minors. The operation included compliance checks of a total of seven (7) local commercial establishments within the City of Punta Gorda licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Five (5) establishments that were open for business were found to be in compliance and two (2) were not.
The commercial establishments that were in compliance and DID NOT SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO A MINOR are:
- 7-Eleven (3139 Tamiami Trail)
- Walgreens (3795 Tamiami Trail)
- Circle K / Mobil (3949 Tamiami Trail)
- Publix (3941 Tamiami Trail)
- Sunoco (10001 Burnt Store Road)
The two (2) commercial establishments that were not in compliance and DID SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO A MINOR are:
- Murphy Oil (26359 Jones Loop Road)
- Walmart (5001 Taylor Road)
This operation was the result of a continuing partnership between ABT and the Punta Gorda Police Department to curb the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors.
The Punta Gorda Police Department, along with Drug-Free Charlotte County and ABT, will continue to work constructively with the city retail establishments where violations occur to ensure that employees are educated regarding Florida law.
Chief Pamela R. Davis urges all individuals to report the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco to law enforcement. Violations within the incorporated city limits of Punta Gorda can be reported to the Punta Gorda Police Department at (941)639-4111. Operations such as this will continue.