Farm Winery Industry Letter
Laws & Enforcement
Welcome from the ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement
The ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement is charged with enforcing the alcoholic beverage control laws and regulations in the Commonwealth.
Our special agents, numbering more than 100 throughout the state, are sworn and certified police officers who receive training at a basic police academy and undergo continuous professional in-service training as required by Virginia law enforcement standards. ABC agents are vested with statewide authority of arrest for ABC violations as well as any other Virginia criminal law violation.
Some of the Enforcement Division's wide-ranging duties include investigations into: underage drinking, fake IDs and other alcohol-related crimes; the illegal sale of alcohol through the Underage Buyer Program; illegal distilleries and production facilities; unlicensed establishments selling alcohol sometimes referred to as "nip joints" or "shot houses;" tax embezzlement and money laundering.
ABC agents also participate in local, state and federal task forces investigating illegal liquor manufacture and distribution, illegal drug operations, cigarette smuggling and more.
Additionally, special agents pursue ABC violations through an administrative law process that focuses on the businesses that may not be complying with the law.
Equally as important, ABC special agents are very involved within the communities in which they live and protect. Frequently, they provide training to both law enforcement professionals and licensed establishments. Special agents are involved with multiple prevention and education initiatives including the annual ABC College Conference, the Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project (YADAPP) and various Speakers Bureau functions at schools from elementary to college level. This active involvement allows us to provide the utmost service to the citizens of Virginia while keeping with our community policing philosophy.
Thank you for your interest in ABC and its Bureau of Law Enforcement. We hope you will use this site to gain information about ABC related matters and please do not hesitate to let us know if we can be of service to you.