On Wednesday, July 9, officers from the Simi Valley Police Department's Special Enforcement Section conducted an undercover investigation into the sales of alcoholic beverages to minors.

The 18- and 19-year-old undercover police decoys attempted to purchase alcohol at 71 locations throughout the city. As a result of the investigation, five misdemeanor citations were issued.

The names of the establishments where the sales occured will be forwarded to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for administrative action. Each of the businesses face sanctions ranging from a fine to a suspension or revocation of their liquor license.

The investigation was part of a continuing police department program to curb the sales of alcoholic beverages to minors. The businesses where individuals were cited are:

•Mobil Gas; 2500 Tapo Canyon Road

•CVS Pharmacy; 2825 Cochran Street

•Shell Gas; 2402 Cochran Street

•AM/PM; 25 Tierra Rejada Road

•Costco; 2660 Park Center Drive

"The business community is to be commended for the high compliance rate with only five retail locations in the city failing to meet state laws governing the sale of alcohol," police chief Mike Lewis said.