A recent Howard County Police Department test of liquor stores, which involved an 18-year-old HC DrugFree volunteer attempting to buy alcohol, resulted in one store cited for sales to an underage customer and six others lauded for following sales laws.
Harwood Convenience Shop, 6641 Washington Blvd., was cited for selling an alcohol beverage to a minor after clerks checked the volunteer's identification, which showed him to be younger than 21, and then made the sale. The store will appear for a violation hearing with the Alcohol Beverage Hearing Board, a police spokeswoman said.
At six other businesses that were tested, sales were denied to the minor volunteer after clerks saw his age on his identification. Those stores were Meadowridge Wine and Spirits and Elkridge Discount Liquors, in Elkridge; JP's Fine Wine and Spirits and Jessup Discount Liquor, in Jessup; and Koko's Mini Market and Richburn Discount Liquors, in Columbia.
In another recent test, Howard police used an underage volunteer who asked patrons outside a Columbia liquor store to purchase alcohol for him. Two adults were given citations when they purchased alcohol for the 18-year-old, police said.
To report underage drinking or establishments that sell alcohol to minors, call the police at 410-313-STOP.