Punta Gorda Police and ABT Team Up for Underage Alcoholic Beverage Enforcement Sweep

October 2, 2024

Punta Gorda Police Detectives and State Investigators from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) Bureau of Law Enforcement teamed up on September 25, 2024, 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 thirteen (13) local commercial establishments within the City of Punta Gorda licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Twelve (12) establishments were in compliance, and one (1) was not.

The commercial establishments that were in compliance and DID NOT SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO A MINOR are:

PGI Liquor (615 Cross Street)
Dollar General (1300 Tamiami Trail)
Punta Gorda Chocolate and Wine (117 Herald Ct. #1112)
CVS (2400 Tamiami Trail)
Publix (2310 Tamiami Trail)
Circle K/Shell (3035 Tamiami Trail)
7-Eleven (3139 Tamiami Trail)
Walgreens (3795 Tamiami Trail)
Publix (3941 Tamiami Trail)
Sunoco (10001 Burnt Store Road)
Walmart (5001 Taylor Road)
Murphy Oil (26359 Jones Loop Road)

The one (1) commercial establishment that was not in compliance and DID SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO A MINOR is:

Circle K/Mobil (3949 Tamiami Trail)

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, Drug-Free Charlotte County, and ABT will continue to work constructively with retail establishments where violations occur to ensure that employees are educated regarding Florida law.

Chief Pamela R. Smith 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.