With more than 75 years of history in public service to the commonwealth, the ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement is charged with enforcing Virginia's alcoholic beverage control laws and regulations. ABC special agents, numbering close to 100 throughout the state, are certified police officers vested with statewide authority of arrest for ABC violations as well as any other Virginia criminal law violation.
The ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement is divided into two main operations: Administration and Field Operations.
- Administration consists of bureau policy, budget, professional standards and internal investigations, security, and license records management.
- Field Operations consists of eight regional offices and one sub-station. Special agents are responsible for conducting criminal investigations, with particular emphasis on sale to underage or intoxicated persons. Agents also investigate complaints related to licensee misconduct in such areas as illicit drug use or distribution, gambling activities, unlicensed establishments, falsification of business records, skimming, money laundering, tax evasion and more.
In addition to criminal investigations, ABC special agents conduct background investigations to determine the suitability of licensee applicants and inspect ABC licensed establishments throughout the year to ensure compliance. There are nearly 16,000 retail licenses in Virginia and ABC issues more than 17,000 banquet /special event licenses each year.
ABC special agents also provide training to both law enforcement professionals and licensed establishments, and are involved with multiple prevention and education initiatives. This active involvement is in keeping with our community policing philosophy.
Thank you for your interest in the ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of service to you.