Forty percent of Casper bars and liquor stores sold alcohol to a minor during a recent undercover police operation.

The minors managed to purchase liquor at 12 of the 30 businesses during alcohol compliance checks that ran from March to the start of Memorial Day weekend, Sgt. Steve Schulz said Wednesday.

"Evidently there is a problem," he said.

It's not the first time that local liquor sellers have fared poorly during compliance checks. Minors were able to purchase alcohol from 38 percent of retailers during a fall 2007 operation conducted by Casper police.

The most recent operation concluded Friday night, when workers at five of 10 businesses sold to the undercover minor.

"It basically means the establishments are not carding or asking for ID," Schulz said.

During the operations, an underage person working with police tries to buy booze at area liquor stores and bars. The minor wears a wire so that police can listen to the conversation. A plain clothes officer is also present to observe the encounter.

Employees who sell to minors are cited and face fines, Schulz said. The business itself is not cited.

Schulz said police aren't trying to hurt the businesses.

"We are checking compliance," Schulz said. "We are hoping nobody gives alcohol to a minor who is coming into their establishment."

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Read his blog at tribtown.trib.com/JoshuaWolfson/blog.

Employees cited

The 12 businesses that sold to an undercover minor during the latest alcohol sting operation:

Galles Liquor Mart

CY Discount Liquor

Smith's

Holiday Inn (east)

Fire Rock

Partytime Liquors

Alibi bar

Sidelines Sports Bar

Pizza Hut (east)

The Sandbar

Dsasumo

House of Sushi