A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission undercover sting Thursday afternoon targeted underage alcohol sales in North Texas.
"To make sure they're selling responsibly, not selling to underage minors," said TABC Sgt. Matthew Kelso.
Undercover agents went to 20 locations in Euless and Bedford. An 18-year old informant went into each location, trying to buy beer.
"They use a valid ID that actually tells their age," Kelso explained.
"Grabbed a 25-ounce Bud Light, went to the counter, purchased it," the informant told NBC 5. "Didn't even check ID."
The informant said he was surprised, because the one of the busts was at a QuikTrip in Euless.
"I was kind of excited to be honest," he said. "It was my first QuikTrip!"
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The QuikTrip that TABC undercover agents said sold beer to their informant was located right next door to a QuikTrip regional office. Someone inside the office stepped outside to ask what was happening. NBC 5 asked him what that policy was for selling alcohol.
"What's our policy?" he asked. "Our policy is to check ID."
The QuikTrip was one of two businesses busted for underage alcohol sales during the sting. The other was a Chevron in Bedford.
TABC agents say on average they bust 10 percent of the businesses targeted in a sting. The focus is safety.
"When you're talking about teenagers – minors – not only are they inexperienced operators of a vehicle," explained Kelso. "Add in alcohol and you've got an extremely dangerous, deadly situation."
A recent study shows 20 percent of high school students admit getting into a car with someone who has been drinking behind the wheel. This week is National Teen Safety Driver Week. According to the Centers for Disease Control, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers.
