TABC’s Spring Break Sting Findings Released

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas regulators say most businesses targeted in an undercover operation during spring break did not sell alcohol to minors.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on Tuesday announced 92 percent of retailers declined to sell to anyone underage during the stings.

The TABC operation ran Feb. 23 through March 15, with nearly 1,500 TABC-licensed businesses visited. Officials targeted retailers along travel corridors between major Texas cities and the Gulf Coast.

The Texas drinking age is 21. Undercover agents were accompanied by underage volunteers attempting to buy alcohol.

Locations where the minors were able to purchase alcohol could face TABC administrative action. Employees who sold the alcohol could face charges.

A similar 2015 spring break operation involved more than 900 retailers, with about 90 percent abiding by Texas alcoholic beverage laws.