Hundreds of fake IDs seized first weekend of Coachella

Campers for weekend two of Coachella are in the Valley and so too has a warning for underage drinkers.

Law enforcement and festival security is cracking down on fake IDs, hundreds have been already confiscated from weekend one.

A picture showing a stack of the IDs went viral but the post has since been taken down from Facebook, but it got our attention and that of festival goers.

The people we talked to welcomed the enforcement.

“I think it should be strictly enforced,” said festival-goer Neill Mercado.

During the first weekend, law enforcement and concert security seized a total of 354 IDs.

“The number of fake IDs that were confiscated is just a testament to how good the process is and how many safeguards there are at those ID check booths to prevent these fake IDs from being passed as real by minors,” said Indio police Sgt. Dan Marshall.

Most people just lost their ID, but they could have faced a fine and community service. Jail time is a possibility for minors caught using the fake ID to buy alcohol.

“Most of the minors that do get caught in possession are ejected from the concert,” said Marshall.

Offenders are also processed right then and there.

“At the venue we have the California Department of Justice to finger print and photograph people so they are issued a citation, fingerprinted and photographed,” said Marshall.

“If they see that it’s not your ID, they start asking questions about it. They start asking your zodiac sign and questions about your ID,” said festival-goer Carlos Lopez.

Veteran and new festival-goers alike, told us they welcome the crackdown.

“I do not think it’s overkill because I myself don’t like going to events that are under 18 or under 21 because kids these days are a lot crazier than my generation,” said Mercado.

“I think it’s a good thing in order for everyone to have fun and not ruin it for everyone else,” said Sabreena Escay.

“They should be, I wouldn’t want my kids going around drinking underage,” said Jason Alfonzo.

“Laws are laws,” said Lopez.

All of the fake IDs are now in the hands of the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control where they are being processed as evidence.