POINT PLEASANT — Four businesses were issued citations Wednesday for failing to request identification of underage consumers who were purchasing alcohol.

According to Sgt. E.B. Starcher of the Mason County Detachment of the West Virginia State Police, 10 businesses were checked during the sting. Of those, three businesses in Point Pleasant and one in Mason were cited when their employees did not ask for identification when a person under 21 years of age tried to purchase alcohol.

The businesses receiving citations were the 22nd Street Exxon station, Smoker Friendly and Smoke Shak at the bypass, all located in Point Pleasant, as well as the Chevron station in Mason.

The check was done in connection with the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA). The WVABCA has endeavored to control the use of alcoholic beverages and enforce the laws and regulations regarding alcoholic beverages in the state.

Starcher said checks are conducted periodically as a way to cut down on underage drinking.

He added that the checks are not announced, as a consumer between the ages of 18 and 21 works with the two agencies by walking into an establishment and attempting to purchase alcohol. If the clerk does not ask to see identification to make sure the purchaser is at least 21, the business and clerk are issued citations.

The legal drinking age in West Virginia is 21.