Undercover operation finds Sparta stores selling alcohol to minors

Sparta Police and the Georgia Department of Revenue cited four businesses for selling alcohol to minors during a compliance check operation Thursday.

SPARTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Four Sparta businesses were cited for selling alcohol to minors during an undercover operation conducted Thursday, according to a news release from the Sparta Police Department.

According to the release, the Georgia Department of Revenue carried out compliance checks at convenience and liquor stores within the city limits of Sparta. The purpose of the operation was to identify businesses selling alcohol to underage customers.

The Department of Revenue cited and temporarily closed two until their alcohol licenses could be reinstated. Arrests were made in connection with those violations.

Taneja Mukesh was arrested at BnB Convenience Store on Highway 22. Mukesh faces charges of operating without the required licenses to distribute, sell, or otherwise deal in alcoholic beverages; failure to display licenses and furnishing to, purchase of, or possession by persons under 21 years of age of alcoholic beverages.

Manoj Kapoor of Sparta was arrested at Valero Convenience Store on Broad Street and faces the same charges, the release says.

Two additional employees received citations for selling alcohol to undercover agents posing as underage buyers.

Asmnizam Ahammad of Lawrenceville was cited at Little Round Up Package Shop for furnishing to, purchase of, or possession by persons under 21 years of age of alcoholic beverages. Sequita Collier of Sparta was cited for the same violation at Little Round Up Convenience Store.