BY DANZA JOHNSON

Daily Journal

TUPELO - A weekend underage alcohol buy operation led to seven store owners being ticketed.

The Tupelo Police Department's Special Operations Division conducted the operation by sending an underage decoy into 20 random stores to buy beer.

Officer Jon Bramble, who headed the operation, said seven out of 20 stores is a disappointing number.

"That is 38.9 percent of the stores we went in that failed," said Bramble. "That number is too high. We commend those 13 that didn't sell to minors, but we have to get that number down to zero."

The seven stores received a citation for selling alcohol to a minor. The fine is up to the judge's discretion.

The stores are:

n Phillip 66 on Cliff Gookin Boulevard

n Texaco at South Green and South Gloster streets

n Tupelo Liquor Mart on South Gloster Street

n Express Shop on Eason Boulevard

n Shell at North Green and North Gloster Street

n Northside Package at North Green and North Gloster streets

n Alibaba's North Green Street

Capt. Alan Gilbert said with summer approaching, police will have more alcohol buys.

"We want to make sure the store owners and workers are obeying the law," said Gilbert. "We're thinking about the safety of the children and the public."

Gilbert said the Special Operations Division will continue the operations until the percentage is down to zero.