NBWA Praises House Action to Prevent Resale of Stolen Alc, Other Cargo

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act passed 348-60 and now goes to the Senate. Craig Purser, president, National Beer Wholesalers Association, praised the passage, saying:

"As sophisticated criminal enterprises increasingly target beer and beverage distributors, this bipartisan bill is an important step to address these crimes."

Among its key provisions, the measure:

• Establishes the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to centralize intelligence and streamline collaboration between local, state, federal, and private-sector partners.
• Allows law enforcement to combine the value of stolen goods across a 12-month period, helping ensure repeat offenders face higher penalties.
• Integrates Money Laundering Provisions: Classifies organized retail theft and interstate cargo theft as predicate offenses under federal money laundering statutes. This permits authorities to seize property, cars, and cash purchased with illicit profits.
• Expands federal oversight to include the use of store gift certificates and prepaid cards, cutting off a primary method organized rings use to "wash" stolen money.