WALLAGRASS — Eighteen minors were charged with possession of alcohol by consumption when Maine State Troopers and Game Wardens, assisted by members of the Caribou Police Department, responded to a report of a party in a wooded area.
Troopers and Wardens located the party in a gravel pit; in addition to the youths charged with possession by consumption, one minor was charged with a zero tolerance driving violation.
According to Sgt. Brian Harris with the Maine State Police, the parents of the minors were called and notified of the incident.
Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan said on Monday that two Caribou police officers were already working a detail to prevent underage drinking; as part of the detail, made possible through an underage drinking grant, Officer Ed Dube and Officer Ryan Fitzpatrick were already checking for underage drinking activity in the greater Caribou area by patrolling known sites of “pit parties” on four-wheelers.
The Caribou officers brought with them the department’s portable breathalyzer to assist at the scene.
Gahagan said that patrolling areas of known underage drinking is one of several techniques officers may use through the support received in conjunction with the underage drinking grant.
The Wallagrass underage drinking incident is still under investigation, and those with information are asked to contact the Maine State Police at 532-5400.
