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Police Investigate Underage Drinking Party

BEL AIR, Md. (WJZ) -- A 10-day investigation led deputies to a home in Harford County where children were being sold alcohol.

Jessica Kartalija reports county officials say this is part of a much bigger problem.

On a quiet street in Bel Air, deputies raided a home where they say residents were running the house like a bar, serving high school and college students.

"They were posting the parties on Facebook, encouraging people to come, pay a fee to get in, in which alcohol would be supplied," said Monica Worrell, Harford County Sheriff's Office.

The page---called "The Laughing Duck"---led deputies and county liquor board inspectors to the home Friday night.

"The alcohol was being supplied by the residents of the home," Worrell said.

Neighbors say they would have a party at least once a month and when the weather was nice, sometimes more often.

"Parents shouldn't condone underage drinking, especially supplying alcohol for the children under age," said neighbor William Heidel.

Citations were issued to those under 21 with alcohol in their system.

"It is in violation of dispensing alcohol for a fee," said Joseph Ryan, Harford County Drug Control Policy.

Ryan---who is with the Office of Drug Control---says this incident highlights a much bigger problem.

"Kids are becoming addicted to drugs at a higher rate that started drinking at an earlier age," Ryan said.

The suspects in this case have not yet been formally charged.

Deputies say those attending the parties were charged a $5 "cover."

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