PALM SPRINGS (CBS) — Officers arrested three people who agreed to buy alcoholic beverages for minors during a sting operation in Palm Springs, a police department spokesman said Saturday.

During the operation, a minor, under the supervision of a police officer, stands outside a liquor store and asks adults to buy them alcohol, while indicating in some way that he or she is underage, said Palm Springs police Sgt. Jon Cabrera.

If the adult buys the alcohol, officers then arrest and cite the person for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service, Cabrera said.

On Friday, officers cited and arrested three people in Palm Springs, he said.

The statewide operation involved investigators from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

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