Press Release

Press Release Sep 22, 2026

NBWA Joins Industry, Federal and State Leaders to Examine Growing Threat of Organized Alcohol Theft

NEW ORLEANS, La. – At the 39^th annual National Liquor Law Enforcement Association conference, the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) joined industry and regulatory leaders to discuss the rising challenge of organized cargo theft and its impact on the beverage alcohol sector.

Paul Pisano, NBWA’s Senior Vice President of Industry Affairs and General Counsel; Janelle Christian, Director of the Office of Industry and State Outreach at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau; Anthony Jimenez, Special Agent in Charge of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control; and Giovanni Dal Bon, Head of Logistics at Sazerac, joined the panel Challenges of Stolen Alcohol to examine the increase in organized retail and cargo theft and the recent spike in alcohol thefts specifically.

The discussion highlighted how illicit diversion and resale of stolen products through sophisticated criminal networks, fictitious brokerage dealers, rail and truck theft and organized retail crime operations poses risks to public health and state revenues. Panelists stressed the importance of partnerships among industry members, law enforcement and regulators to prevent theft and recover stolen products. They also explored federal and state enforcement tools, regulatory compliance considerations and best practices for protecting shipments and preserving supply chain integrity.

The conversation built on NBWA’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of stolen alcohol and organized theft across the beverage alcohol industry, including recently released resources for regulators and beer distributors.

###

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America’s 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system.

Distributors build brands of all sizes – from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world – and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 135,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving and reduce underage drinking.