News
Catch up with the latest news and guidance from TABC. You can read our news releases, marketing practices advisories, licensing and audit bulletins, industry notifications, announcements, and articles.
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TABC agents apprehend suspected shooter following incident at El Paso bar that injured two
EL PASO, Texas — One person is behind bars after he was apprehended by agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission following a shooting at an El Paso bar early Saturday morning. Trevion Kimbrough, 26, was arrested by the El Paso Police Department and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently being held in the El Paso County Jail. The shooting took place at Tipsy Tiger, a bar located in the 11300 block of Montwood Drive. A team of TABC agents were outside the business at around 3 a.m. when they observed a fight break out on the bar’s patio area. During the fight, one person drew and fired a firearm. Two people were injured, with one requiring transport to a local hospital. The shooter fled the scene on foot and was later apprehended by TABC agents approximately half a block from the bar. TABC agents kept the suspected shooter in custody until El Paso police arrived on the scene. “I couldn’t be prouder of the agents whose quick thinking and decisive actions undoubtedly prevented this incident from spiraling into more serious injuries or loss of life,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “I’m grateful to our El Paso enforcement team and our local law enforcement partners.” Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The case remains under investigation by the El Paso Police Department and TABC. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreIndustry Notice: HB 4463 changes to take effect for nonresident brewers on Sept. 1, 2025
With the passage of House Bill 4463 during the regular session of the 89th Texas Legislature, changes will take effect on Sept. 1, 2025, impacting holders of a Nonresident Brewer's License (BN) and their requirements for product registration.
Read moreAIMS Payment Cart available after update
The Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) Payment Cart is back up and running after TABC completed its transition to a new payment and accounting system on Aug. 22. This feature allows users to pay for up to 10 items simultaneously. Business owners use AIMS’s payment features when paying fees for multiple license and permit applications or product registrations. AIMS users can also pay for items separately by clicking the “Pay Now” button when submitting their payment.
Read moreTABC agents, federal partners seize thousands in illicit alcohol during Laredo operation
LAREDO — Agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s Financial Crimes Unit, along with members of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the IRS, seized a large amount of illicit alcoholic beverages while executing a search warrant at a residence in Laredo on Friday, Aug. 15. In total, approximately $34,000 in alcoholic beverages — nearly 7,000 individual containers — were seized at the residence during the operation. The alcohol, which investigators believe was brought into the United States from Mexico, was taken to a secure facility for disposal. Friday’s operation was the culmination of a yearlong investigation by TABC and agents from HSI, Customs & Border Protection, and the IRS. The investigation began when Customs officials intercepted more than 200 liters of illicit alcohol during a routine inspection at the U.S./Mexico border crossing in Laredo. Investigators later uncovered evidence indicating that larger amounts of alcohol were being smuggled into Texas for further distribution to locations such as New York, Oklahoma, and Illinois. The Laredo residence was identified as a possible stash house for the illicit alcohol, leading to Friday’s search of the premises. “Any alcohol brought into Texas that exceeds what’s allowed for personal importation must be imported by properly licensed entities, and the alcohol is subject to state taxes and safety standards,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “When bad actors bring alcohol into the state illegally, they potentially endanger Texans with products that could be tainted while creating an uneven playing field for the thousands of businesses who operate lawfully. I’m grateful to our TABC agents, our Ports of Entry personnel, and our investigating partners for their diligent work on this case.” Sec. 107.07 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code outlines the amount of alcohol an individual may personally import into Texas, while setting requirements for taxes and fees due upon importation. Sec. 101.03 of the Code authorizes TABC and its partners to seize and destroy any alcohol brought into the state illegally. The case remains under investigation by TABC and HSI. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreAIMS Payment Cart temporarily unavailable
The Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) Payment Cart will be temporarily unavailable from July 24 through late August as TABC transitions to a new payment and accounting system. The Payment Cart allows users to pay for up to 10 items simultaneously. This temporary unavailability does not impact AIMS users' ability to use the 'Pay Now' button to pay for individual transactions separately. While the Payment Cart is unavailable, all users must pay for each transaction separately by clicking the 'Pay Now' button. Any user who had items pending in their Payment Cart as of July 22 will still be able to access those items by selecting the 'Unsubmitted Transactions' tile in AIMS and then paying for them individually using the 'Pay Now' button on the payment screen. TABC will send another notice when the AIMS Payment Cart feature has been restored.
Read moreTABC agent awarded 2025 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor for response to active shooter at Houston’s Lakewood Church
AUSTIN — Agent Adrian Herrera of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) received the 2025 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The award was presented on June 13 during a ceremony in the Texas House of Representatives Chamber at the Texas Capitol. Herrera was honored for his quick response that stopped an active shooter at Houston’s Lakewood Church last year. The church was holding a Sunday afternoon service on Feb. 11, 2024, when a woman opened fire with a long rifle in the lobby of the building. Herrera, who is stationed at TABC’s Houston office, was providing security for the church during his off-duty hours. After gunfire erupted, a church volunteer notified church security. Herrera and another off-duty officer then approached the woman and exchanged gunfire before neutralizing the threat. “Agent Herrera answered the call to action without regard for his own safety that day, saving countless lives,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “Agent Herrera’s commitment to protecting others is one shared by every TABC agent and peace officer across Texas, whether they’re clocked in or not. This is a very proud day for our agency.” TCOLE’s annual State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Awards recognize peace officers, reserve officers, telecommunicators, and jailers who have demonstrated exceptional performance beyond the standard expectations of their duties through acts of professional achievement, public service, or valor. Winners are decided by a judging panel and the TCOLE Board of Commissioners. “We want to thank TCOLE for recognizing Agent Herrera with this esteemed honor and for sharing his story,” Graham said. Herrera was also named 2024 National Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent of the Year by the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association in November 2024 and he received the 100 Club of Houston’s Officer of the Year award in May this year. He joined TABC as an agent in March 2019.
Read morePrompt action required to complete 2025 compliance report(s) by June 30
Businesses have just a few weeks left to complete compliance report(s) for their licensed or permitted locations in Texas, and any others shown in AIMS as having an unsubmitted report. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a visit from TABC, an administrative warning, or suspension or cancellation of the license/permit. What: You must conduct a 2025 compliance report (i.e., self-inspection) for each of your TABC-licensed or permitted locations in Texas if the primary license or permit was originally issued in 2023 or before. No compliance report is due in 2025 for licenses and permits originally issued in 2024 or 2025. Why: Compliance reporting helps us confirm that your business is following the law. Failing to file a report on time may result in a visit from TABC, an administrative warning, or suspension or cancellation of the license. When: Start and finish your compliance report(s) between Jan. 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025.
Read moreTABC publishes interactive wet/dry map
Figuring out which alcohol sales are allowed at specific locations across Texas has become easier with TABC’s new interactive wet/dry map. The new map allows users to view the status of a county — dry, partially wet, or wet for alcohol sales — and see the alcohol types allowed for various jurisdictions within the county. The map was made possible through a partnership between TABC and the General Land Office. Currently, most Texas counties and cities allow some form of alcohol sales. and there are 60 completely wet counties and three completely dry counties in the state. Where alcohol may be sold in Texas is determined by a local option election in which voters in a county, municipality, or precinct decide the types of alcoholic beverage sales they want to allow in their community.
Read moreTexas Alcoholic Beverage Commission removes 25 potential human trafficking victims from Houston-area bar during joint operation
HOUSTON — Agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI, and Harris County District Attorney’s Office conducted a joint operation at a Houston-area bar following an investigation into allegations of prostitution and human trafficking. More than 30 agents took part in the operation at Fridas Sports Bar located at 2217 McCarty Street late Thursday. In total, TABC victim services coordinators interviewed 25 potential human trafficking victims who were present in the bar. “This operation resulted from weeks of investigation into alleged criminal activity taking place at the bar,” TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly said. “Let there be no mistake: Illegal conduct has no place in a TABC-licensed business, and we will continue to take action against any bad actors who think they can use a legitimate business as a front for their crimes.” TABC prioritizes assisting the potential victims of human trafficking in cases such as this one, TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “TABC’s victim services coordinators are experts at talking to individuals who have been victimized by organized crime,” he said. “Our goal is, first and foremost, to remove them from danger and to connect them with the resources they need, from medical help to counseling.” The investigation followed weeks of evidence-gathering and joint investigation by TABC and its task force partners at the local, state, and federal levels. Such partnerships are the backbone of TABC’s efforts to ensure public safety, Lilly said. “This success wouldn’t have been possible without the outstanding work and support of our partners at all levels of government,” he said. “Public safety is, by nature, a joint effort. Coordinating our efforts and supporting our partner agencies are crucial to working efficiently toward a safer Texas.” The bar remains the subject of ongoing criminal and administrative investigations by TABC, HSI, FBI, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTexas Alcoholic Beverage Commission kicks off annual Spring Break, festival safety operation
AUSTIN — Agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) are ramping up efforts to curb underage drinking and intoxicated driving across the state as part of the agency’s annual spring break safety operation. The operation, which includes both undercover and open inspections of TABC-licensed alcohol retailers, seeks to identify businesses that violate state law by selling alcohol to people younger than 21. More than 200 TABC Enforcement agents and members of the agency’s Targeted Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies (TRACE) unit are taking part in the effort. “Spring break is an opportunity for Texans to celebrate with some well-earned time off and support the thriving tourism and entertainment industries in our state,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “Our goal with this operation is to ensure businesses do the right thing and prevent alcohol sales that could endanger public safety.” Throughout the spring break period, TABC agents will conduct additional “minor sales investigations” at businesses in cities with colleges or universities, as well as popular destinations along Texas’s Gulf Coast and its travel corridors. During a minor sales investigation, undercover TABC agents work to identify any business selling alcohol to a minor. Visible TABC agents will also patrol popular travel destinations and festival locations, such as Austin’s SXSW music festival, to ensure retailers are complying with state law. “This operation serves a dual purpose,” Graham said. “We first and foremost want to serve as a resource that educates businesses on how to stay in compliance with state law but we also want to take corrective action to get a business back on track if that becomes necessary. In the leadup to spring break, and throughout the month of March, our agents and auditors will be available to answer questions and respond to complaints, both in popular spring break destinations and across the state.” Similar operations in past years recorded an average compliance rate over 90 percent. In total, TABC regulates more than 60,000 licensed alcohol retail locations across the state. Selling alcohol to a person younger than 21 is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $4,000, jail time for up to one year, or both. Any business found in violation could also face a fine or possible suspension of their TABC license to sell alcoholic beverages. For more information about TABC, or to download free educational resources, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
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