In the next two weeks, four Dunedin premises would face temporary suspensions, in addition to two which had licences suspended earlier this year.
The suspensions followed a controlled purchase operation last December, in which six liquor outlets were found to be in breach of the Sale of Liquor Act (section 155) after selling liquor to an under-age volunteer who presented identification showing his age.
Liquor licensing officer Sergeant Wayne Pitcaithly, of Dunedin, said a North Dunedin premises allegedly sold alcohol to a minor during a subsequent operation last Wednesday.
The Liquor Licensing Authority, working in conjunction with police, handed out 12 suspensions in 2006 and 10 in 2005, when the controlled purchase operations were first run.
"I'm not sure why there is an increase, but it does not seem like an onerous task to check someone's [identification]. The whole process is being toughened up following a directive from the [authority]... because of concerns the lower drinking age will have flow-on effects, and younger people might have access to alcohol,'' he said.
Although it was "unusual'' for licensing cases to appear before the district court, duty managers and licensees could be liable for a $10,000 fine if prosecuted, he said.
As a result of December's operation, the Normanby Tavern's off-licence was suspended for three days from 7am yesterday; Cableways Tavern off-licence suspended from 7am yesterday until 7am tomorrow; The Monkey Bar's on-licence suspended for 24 hours from 9am today; and Champions of Otago's on-licence suspended for 24 hours from today.
The Beach Hotel's off-licence was suspended for three days last week.
In February, the off-licence for Super Liquor (Cumberland St) was suspended for 24 hours.
General managers certificates for Chris Hunia Karitiana Kennedy, Katharine Margaret Deaker, River Leslie Jermyn and Ben Alexander Amant Smith were temporarily suspended as a result of the operation.
