A group of young adults were arrested at Haha Sushi and Ramen restaurant for possession of fake identification cards last month, according to a City of San Luis Obispo press report. Undercover agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control observed a large, youthful-appearing group dining at the restaurant ordering and consuming alcoholic beverages.
All individuals were cited at approximately 9:30 p.m. on April 23, and released that night.
Acting in accordance with state law, agents approached the group to verify their identities. After close speculation agents discovered none of them were 21 or above the age, and every person was carrying a fake identification card. The coordinated use of fraudulent IDs raises broader concerns about the accessibility of fake identification among young people in the area.
Soon after the discovery, San Luis Obispo Police Department officers were called to the scene to assist the agents. In total, 29 individuals were cited and released for possession of a false or fraudulent identification.
Six of these individuals were additionally found to be in possession of alcoholic beverages and were arrested for misdemeanor minor in possession of an alcoholic beverage.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “about 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking.” Statistics from the City of San Luis Obispo show that individuals under the age of 21 face a much higher risk of being involved in a collision than older drivers.