CUMMING — Thirteen of the 44 businesses checked during a sweep Wednesday by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Cumming Police Department sold alcohol to someone younger than 21.

According to the sheriff’s office, eight of the 13 also were cited with city ordinance violations. In addition, three of the 13 had to close for the night due to not having an employee with an alcohol sales permit on site.

All 44 of the businesses cited were in the city limits of Cumming, according to the sheriff’s office.

The agency’s ordinance and permits unit conducts these operations frequently as part of an effort to reduce alcohol consumption by teenagers.

As part of the checks, authorities have said they send in an underage person under the supervision of one or more undercover officers to attempt to buy alcohol.

The “operatives” often are criminal justice students. When a citation is issued, the alcohol is returned to the store and a refund is provided.

Those cited during a sweep are typically required to appear in Magistrate Court to answer to the charges.

If found guilty, the businesses and employees will also be subject to ordinance penalties, which can lead to suspension or loss of their business licenses or sales permits.