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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo reminded New Yorkers today that state investigators will again crack down on underage drinking and the use of fake IDs to purchase alcohol at summer concerts and at bars this season. Investigators from the Department of Motor Vehicles, State Liquor Authority, State Parks Police and local law enforcement will conduct enforcement sweeps at venues across the state as part of the Operation Prevent campaign, an ongoing effort to prevent underage drinking. In April and May, investigators issued 139 tickets.

"When alcohol finds its way into the hands of young people, far too often it ends in tragedy," Cuomo said. "Through this ongoing enforcement effort, investigators from across the state are working together to combat this dangerous and chronic problem."

Operation Prevent enforcement sweeps will be conducted at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Jones Beach, Canalside in Buffalo, CMAC in Canandaigua, and the Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse, as well as other locations where underage concertgoers are likely to gather. In addition, DMV and SLA investigators will conduct sweeps at popular summer bars to make sure everyone consuming alcohol is of legal drinking age.

Patrons under the age of 21 found to be using fake IDs to buy alcohol can be ticketed and risk having their license revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to one year.

"It does not matter whether it is a New York license or one from another state, our investigators are well trained to recognize fakes and they are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to verify if an ID is fraudulent," said Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. "We understand that there is a strong temptation for young people to drink at these events and that is why we focus on both enforcement and education, throughout the year. Our message is simple—underage drinking, especially drinking and driving, is never the right choice."

In April and May, Operation Prevent investigations resulted in 139 people being charged with using a fake ID or someone else's ID to purchase alcohol. During these enforcement sweeps, 126 fake identifications were seized. Also in April and May, the SLA conducted statewide underage sting operations by sending decoys into 851 locations holding liquor licenses, with 186 businesses charged with selling alcohol to a minor.

The tickets issued include:

Capital Region - 56 tickets
46 tickets issued at O'Leary's Tavern, April 5
Six tickets issued at Graney's Stout, April 26
Four tickets issued at Union Convenience, Goose Hill Wine & Liquor, and Englebardt's Liquor Store in Schenectady, May 17

Central New York -14 tickets
Five tickets issued at the Jason Aldean concert at Lakeview Amphitheater, May 16
Nine tickets issued at the Zak Brown concert at Lakeview Amphiteater, June 9

Finger Lakes - 31 tickets
10 tickets issued at One Nightclub and Vinyl in Rochester, April 25 and May 31
Eight tickets issued at The Red Jug, Barbers Grill and Tap Room, Custom House, and BBQ and Brew in Brockport, April 27
13 tickets issued at the Chris Young concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, May 24

Southern Tier - 20 tickets
20 tickets issued at The Rathskellar, Tom and Marty's, and Celtic Pub in Binghamton, May 3

Western New York - 18 tickets
18 tickets issued at The Steer and Slick's Willie's in Tonawanda, May 3

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