(Galveston, TX)  – On July 20, 2012 the Galveston Police Department conducted a targeted operation focusing on the sale of alcohol to minors at various locations across the island.

At approximately 3:00 PM two plain-clothes officers and an 18 year old assisting in the investigation entered a convenience store at 7501 Stewart Road. The underage buyer took alcohol from the cooler section of the store and was able to purchase it at the counter. Officers observed the transaction, identified themselves to the clerk, and began gathering information for the prosecution of the clerk for the sale of alcohol to a minor.

At this time a customer who was playing an electronic gaming machine came up to the counter with a cash-out slip stating that he had won $165. The clerk paid the customer $165 cash while the officers were gathering his information for the first report. The scope of the investigation then expanded to include the illegal gambling.

Officers collected gambling paraphernalia and seized over $10,000 in cash. Charges are expected pending further investigation by the Galveston Police Vice and Narcotics Unit.