MANSFIELD — The METRICH Enforcement Unit with assistance from the Community Action for Capable Youth (CACY), Richland County Sheriff, Ontario Police and the Shelby Police conducted alcohol and tobacco compliance checks on Tuesday, April 18 throughout various businesses in Richland County.
According to a Metrich press release, those under the age of 21 were taken to 94 businesses in Richland County where they attempted to purchase alcohol or tobacco products. Ohio Law forbids the sale of tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age and the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age.
Officials say the businesses that sold alcoholic beverages to an underage person were:
1. Cornell’s IGA, 140 Mansfield Ave., Shelby
2. Mickey Mart, 61 Mill St., Bellville
3. Interstate Marathon, 495 Woodville Rd., Mansfield
4. Duke & Duchess, 1000 Ashland Rd., Mansfield
5. Valero, 1368 North Main St., Mansfield
6. Papa Johnny’s, 702 Bowman St., Mansfield
7. Ohio Food Mart/ Sunoco, 382 Lexington Ave., Mansfield
According to authorities, the businesses that sold tobacco products to underage persons were:
1. Marion Ave Drive Thru, 289 Marion Ave., Mansfield
The Ohio Investigative Unit will review the alcoholic beverage related cases and further charges may be filed on the liquor permit holder of each business. Those individuals that were cited will be required to appear in the appropriate court where the violation occurred.
The 86 businesses that were checked and were compliant are commended for being vigilant in ensuring their employees are checking identification of persons purchasing alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
“By choosing to be compliant with the laws of Ohio, those business owners are taking responsibility to help keep our children in Richland County safe,” stated a METRICH press release.
Unannounced compliance checks will continue to be conducted in the future to ensure strict compliance to the alcohol and tobacco laws.
