Skip to main content

Your local TABC

July 10, 2017

TABC Cancels Liquor Permits for Two Laredo Retailers

LAREDO, Texas – A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission investigation into alleged drug sales within TABC-licensed businesses resulted in cancelled permits for a pair of Laredo alcohol retailers June 29.

The investigation has resulted in the cancellation of permits at the following locations:

  • Mama Chulas, 1519 Zapata Highway
  • Mama Chulas, 1806 Barrios Street, Suite 1

Both locations share a name, but are located at different addresses. TABC agents executed a search warrant at the Zapata Highway location following a long-term investigation into alleged drug sales from that business. One employee was arrested on warrants for delivery of a controlled substance.

An administrative case was also filed against the Barrios Street location based on criminal charges involving employment harmful to a minor. Both locations had their permits to sell alcohol cancelled by TABC.

"Sales of drugs from a licensed location can frequently lead to much more serious crimes and result in a significant danger to public safety," said Captain Ron Swenson of TABC's Special Investigations Unit. "We’re grateful to all of our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal level for their assistance in bringing this illegal activity to an end."

Assisting in the investigation were officers from the Laredo office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Laredo Police Department and investigators with the 49th Judicial District Attorney's Office of Webb and Zapata counties.

Media contact:
Chris Porter
TABC Public Information Officer
(512) 206-3462