ESCONDIDO, Calif. - Two people were cited for buying alcohol for a minor during a "shoulder tap" operation by Escondido police and state Alcoholic Beverage Control agents.

A 41-year-old Escondido woman and a 53-year-old man from Redmond, Ore., face fines of up to $250 and up to 32 hours of community service if convicted of the misdemeanor offense, according to Escondido police.

The citations were the result of a so-called shoulder tap operation on Wednesday in which a minor asked people entering stores that sell alcohol to buy booze on his or her behalf while under the supervision of law enforcement.

The shoulder tap operation, paid for with grant from the state ABC, was part of statewide effort to keep alcohol away from minors.