Six Bristol businesses were cited for liquor law violations after reportedly selling or serving alcohol to minors during an undercover police operation last Thursday, Sept. 10.

Bristol Sgt. Paul Medeiros worked with a pair of undercover and underage individuals to test whether restaurants and liquor stores would request to see identification when the underage volunteers tried to purchase alcohol. The operation took place between 5 and 8 p.m. that night.

Servers at numerous establishments requested to see ID, as required by law, and when asked, the undercover duo admitted they were not 21 and left immediately. However, they were served successfully at six places: Viola’s Liquors, Bar 31, Thames Waterside, Portside Tavern, Bristol Liquors, and 1776 Liquors.

Bristol Police Capt. Brian Burke said that because these were first violations for all the establishments, there are no immediate penalties. Police will be meeting with the owners and managers to talk about better training and education for servers and waitstaff.

“We want to educate them first and work with them,” Capt. Burke said. Funding for the operation was provided by the Bristol Warren substance abuse task force.

During the operation, they also nabbed an underage buyer. While sitting outside and observing, an officer saw someone who appeared to be under the age of 21 enter Bristol Liquors and attempt to make a purchase. The 18-year-old was cited underage possession of alcohol.