LEWISTON – A four-month undercover operation found that stores in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties sold more alcohol to minors than other counties in the study.

But because the state has cut law enforcers from the bureau to save money, that might be as far as the study goes.

According to the report, almost half of Androscoggin County stores surveyed sold alcohol to the bureau’s underage buyers. In Franklin County, 46 percent sold to a minor. In Oxford County, it was 40 percent.

“We were surprised,” said Lt. Holly Pomelow, assistant director of the Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement, who hadn’t expected the number of sales to be so high. The bureau used underage buyers to test liquor sales in about 600 stores in 10 counties.

Knox County had the best record. Only 7 percent of stores investigated there sold liquor to minors.

In every case across the state, an undercover buyer between 18 and 20 years old went into a supermarket, convenience store or other retail business and tried to buy beer. If asked for identification, the underage buyers offered none. If asked their age, they told the truth.

It is illegal in Maine to sell alcohol to anyone under 21.

In some stores, clerks sold the beer without question. In others, they asked how old the buyers were- but didn’t care about the answer.

“They still made the sale. It’s amazing,” Pomelow said. “My slogan is: If they’re selling to our minors, they’re probably selling to your kids.”

Undercover police officers stayed close to the minors while they tried to buy beer. If a purchase was made, officers returned later and gave the store a warning.

Stores that sell alcohol to minors normally face fines of up to $1,500, a liquor license suspension or mandatory liquor sales training for employees. But this time, Pomelow said, the bureau just wanted to collect data and “let them know that we’re out there.”

Both large chain stores and smaller, independent businesses were caught selling to minors.

After getting a warning, Pomelow said, some clerks argued that they were new and didn’t know what they were supposed to do. Some called the investigation “unconstitutional.”

Others were simply surprised to see Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement officers at their front door.

“They said, ‘We thought you were gone already,'” Pomelow said.

Budget cut

With $1.3 million slashed from its budget, the bureau has had to cut all of its enforcement personnel. After June, the bureau will be responsible for inspections, licenses and taxes only.

It will be up to state, county and local police departments to enforce liquor laws.

While such undercover work is routine in other states, Pomelow said this was the first time it was done to catch underage alcohol sales in Maine. A federal grant helped pay for the $100,000 project.

Officials had hoped to continue the operation for at least two years, eventually checking every store in every county and imposing steeper and steeper penalties.

Since the bureau is losing its enforcement officers, it is unclear what will happen to that plan.

The Maine Office of Substance Abuse could take over, but it has no police officers to oversee buyers or the investigation. State and local police departments have the officers, but they may not have the time.

Kim Johnson, director of the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, said state officials are discussing their options. She hopes something is worked out soon.

“Look at the data. Clearly, we need to keep doing this,” she said.

ltice@sunjournal