The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that 17 citations were issued to local alcohol retailers during the weekend of March 21-22 for selling alcohol to underage people.

This year, compliance checks were conducted on 51 alcohol retailers across Lake County.

According to Undersheriff Ben Woods, the number of citations marks an increase over previous years, although he didn’t have exact historical data. “Anecdotally, I can tell you that this is more citations than we have issued in the past,” he said.

The department, under the auspices of the Montana Department of Revenue, basically conducts a “sting” operation, having people under 21 approach retailers to purchase alcohol. Woods says the people they recruit “are considered confidential informants for the purposes of these operations,” and are accompanied by an "undercover" or plain clothes officer.

If a retailer sells alcohol to the underage person, the retailer's employee is cited, and the violation is reported to the Montana Department of Revenue.

The maximum penalty for violating MCA 45-5-623, Unlawful Transactions with Children, is a fine of $500, six months in jail, or both on a first offense.

Employees of the following retailers were cited:

• Polson: Safeway, Mackenzie River Pizza, Red Lion Inn & Suites, Bunkers Bar and Grille, Pier 93, Polson Bay Grocery, Polson Liquor Store, Glacier Brewing Company, VFW #2986 and Elks Lodge

• Ronan: Arnie's Gas and Tire, The Pheasant Bar, 325 Bar, Club Bar, Town Pump and Cantina Grille

Wilson Foods in Arlee was also cited.

Currently, Woods said there were no similar operations conducted at the state level to monitor underage sales at marijuana dispensaries, "but I am hoping to see this change come."

Editor's note: The original story listed Wilson Foods location as Charlo. It's located in Arlee. Sorry about that!