THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Four of 17 licensed establishments checked during a minor decoy operation in Thousand Oaks sold alcohol to an underage decoy on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office announced in a release dated October 28, 2026.
Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Minor Decoy Operation release, October 28, 2026: https://nixle.us/HS4KM
The operation was run by detectives from the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, working with agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
A person under the age of 21 was used as a decoy to enter licensed establishments and attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.
During the operation, 17 licensed establishments were investigated for compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.
Four of the 17 sold alcoholic beverages to the decoy.
Following each sale, ABC agents contacted the responsible employee and issued a citation for violating California Business and Professions Code § 25658(a), furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor.
Seventeen Checks, Four Sales, and the Businesses Named
The Sheriff's release names the four establishments where the decoy was sold alcohol:
CVS Pharmacy, Newbury Park.
Walmart Neighborhood Market, Newbury Park.
Bottle and Pint Bar, Newbury Park.
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Tarantula Hill Brewing Co, Thousand Oaks.
The release does not name the individual employees who were cited.
An Honest Decoy, Real Identification, and Full Supervision
The decoy dressed conservatively, provided identification when asked, and made no attempt to mislead the seller.
Every question a seller asked the decoy was answered honestly.
The decoy was supervised by Sheriff's deputies and ABC agents during the entire process.
License Action, Prevention Programs, and What Happens Next
ABC may take administrative action against the license of a business where alcohol was sold to a minor. Those actions may include fines, suspension, or permanent revocation of the license.
The Sheriff's Office said ABC runs two programs aimed at underage drinking, Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap, and that both have steadily decreased minors' access to alcohol from licensed premises and from the public.
The Directed Enforcement Unit said it will continue to work with ABC and other organizations to educate businesses and enforce underage alcohol sales laws.
Anyone who knows of an establishment selling alcoholic beverages to minors can call the Sheriff's Office at (805) 371-8338. Callers can remain anonymous.
Sources: Ventura County Sheriff's Office, "Media Release: Minor Decoy Operation," October 28, 2026 (operation date October 27, 2026), prepared by Senior Deputy Greg Chisari, approved by Captain James Sullivan. File photo: PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons and Flickr.