Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office continued their Operation Pop-Top checks on Thursday, April 3, 2025, as they visited nine convenience stores, ensuring that the stores are compliant with the state alcohol sales law.
The deputies were assisted by a 17-year old high school student who is a member of the PCSO’s Cadet 1000 program.
The student attempted to purchase an alcoholic beverage at each of the nine stores, and was successful in doing so at the QP Gas Station at 704 North Scenic Highway in Lake Wales.
The store’s clerk, Abul Kalem Shaikh, 63, of Lake Wales, was arrested and charged with selling an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age (a misdemeanor).
“The stores checked this time were in the Frostproof-Lake Wales area, but we do these checks all over the county, and we do them often. My advice to anyone who works at an establishment that sells alcohol is to check the IDs of your customers, and do not sell alcohol to anyone under 21. Otherwise, it might be you going to the Polk County Jail next time.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
In addition to checking for illegal alcohol sales, the Operation Pop-Top campaign will check stores to make sure they are not selling tobacco or kratom to anyone under 21 years of age.
