FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A State Excise Police program using people younger than 21 to catch retailers selling alcoholic beverages to underage customers has resulted in more than 370 violations across Indiana in its first three months.

The program involves people ages 18 to 20 who try to buy alcohol with no identification. The underage shoppers are not allowed to lie if a retailer asks how old they are.

Excise police two years ago started checking retailers in locations where minors had easy access. It found retailers violated the law 35 percent of the time; and restaurants, 44 percent.

Starting last July, the police began issuing citations. Fines go up to $1,000 and in some cases a retailer’s license can be suspended.