Bluffton police gave out eight citations Friday night during an undercover operation targeting sales of alcohol to minors, according to a release from the Bluffton Police Department.

The Bluffton Police Department and the 14th Circuit Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse conducted the operation to determine if local establishments were checking identifications before selling alcohol, according to the release.

The department sent underage participants into 35 local establishments to buy alcoholic beverages. If they succeeded in making a purchase, officers issued a citation to the server, according to the statement.

Lt. Bryan Norberg of the Bluffton Police Department said the eight citations were handed out at a combination of convenience stores, restaurants and bars.

The operation -- the first of its kind conducted by Bluffton police -- was arranged because the department has received an increasing number of complaints about underage drinking at local bars, according to the release.

Similar operations will be organized again within the next two months.