HCSO CONDUCTS UNDERAGE ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECKS

On 09-25-2026, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Vice and Narcotics Unit conducted an undercover operation utilizing an underage asset to attempt to purchase alcoholic products from stores within Hernando County. The underage asset had a valid Florida Driver’s License, which indicated their age and the fact that they were clearly under 21.

At the conclusion of the operation, five locations did not permit the sale of alcoholic beverages successfully following the law.

Stores in COMPLIANCE (DID NOT ALLOW THE TRANSACTION)

· 18635 Cortez Boulevard (Gulf gas Station)

· 101 Ponce De Leon Boulevard (Texaco)

· 1950 E Jefferson Street (Circle K)

· 856 Broad Street (Dollar General)

· 940 S Broad Street (7-Eleven)

Stores in VIOLATION (ALLOWED THE PURCHASE OF ALCHOL TO THE UNDERAGE PERSON)

· 19275 Cortez Boulevard (Food mart – Krispy Krunchy Chicken)

· 19510 Cortez Boulevard (Brooksville Liquor)

· 814 S Broad Street (Super Discount beverage)

· 16129 Cortez Boulevard (7-Eleven)

The (4) above mentioned locations did allow the purchase of alcoholic beverage products, a violation of the Florida Beverage Law, F.S.S. 562.11.

The offenders are mandated to complete Responsible Vendor Training (RVT), an online course which is administered by the Hernando Community Coalition, within 30 days of the violation.

The course reinforces the importance of responsible alcohol and tobacco sales and service, reviews Florida beverage laws, and demonstrates practices on how to prevent alcohol sales to underage persons. Failure to complete said course can result in criminal charges being brought against the individuals who sold alcoholic beverages to underage individuals.