{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-509.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-509.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-509.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-509.1.html"}],"law_id":73168,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73168,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-509.1","catch_line":"Powers of investigators; enforcement of certain tobacco laws","history":"2006, c. 695; 2015, cc. 38, 730; 2024, c. 540.","full_text":"Investigators with the Office of the Attorney General as designated by the Attorney General shall be authorized to seize cigarettes as defined in \u00a7 3.2-4200 that are sold, possessed, distributed, transported, imported, or otherwise held in violation of \u00a7 3.2-4207, 18.2-246.14, 58.1-1015, 58.1-1017, or 58.1-1037. In addition, such investigators shall be authorized to accompany and participate with special agents of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority or other law-enforcement officials engaging in an enforcement action under \u00a7 3.2-4207, 18.2-246.14, 58.1-1015, 58.1-1017, or 58.1-1037.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":263423,"text":"Investigators with the Office of the Attorney General as designated by the Attorney General shall be authorized to seize cigarettes as defined in \u00a7 3.2-4200 that are sold, possessed, distributed, transported, imported, or otherwise held in violation of \u00a7 3.2-4207, 18.2-246.14, 58.1-1015, 58.1-1017, or 58.1-1037. In addition, such investigators shall be authorized to accompany and participate with special agents of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority or other law-enforcement officials engaging in an enforcement action under \u00a7 3.2-4207, 18.2-246.14, 58.1-1015, 58.1-1017, or 58.1-1037.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13688,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13687,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:33","permalink":{"id":172305,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13688,"identifier":"1","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1","url":"\/2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13687,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Law","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13686,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:33","permalink":{"id":172303,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13687,"identifier":"5","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5","url":"\/2.2\/I\/B\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13686,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Law","identifier":"B","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:33","permalink":{"id":172301,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13686,"identifier":"B","token":"2.2\/I\/B","url":"\/2.2\/I\/B\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":78581,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-500","catch_line":"Attorney General to be chief executive officer; duties generally","url":"\/2.2-500\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-500","metadata":false},{"id":63667,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-501","catch_line":"Assistant and deputy Attorneys General","url":"\/2.2-501\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-501","metadata":false},{"id":69927,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-502","catch_line":"Support staff","url":"\/2.2-502\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-502","metadata":false},{"id":65967,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-503","catch_line":"Office space","url":"\/2.2-503\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-503","metadata":false},{"id":61651,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-504","catch_line":"Contingent and traveling expenses","url":"\/2.2-504\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-504","metadata":false},{"id":80761,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-505","catch_line":"Official opinions of Attorney General","url":"\/2.2-505\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-505","metadata":false},{"id":60958,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-506","catch_line":"Legal services to attorneys for the Commonwealth in certain proceedings; costs","url":"\/2.2-506\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":71070,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-507","catch_line":"Legal service in civil matters","url":"\/2.2-507\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":87061,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-507.1","catch_line":"Authority of Attorney General regarding charitable assets","url":"\/2.2-507.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-507.1","metadata":false},{"id":79356,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-507.2","catch_line":"Youth Internet Safety Fund established","url":"\/2.2-507.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-507.2","metadata":false},{"id":68735,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-507.3","catch_line":"Cooperation with the Opioid Abatement Authority","url":"\/2.2-507.3\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-507.3","metadata":false},{"id":73873,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-508","catch_line":"Legal service in certain redistricting proceedings","url":"\/2.2-508\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":60882,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-509","catch_line":"Representation in administrative proceedings","url":"\/2.2-509\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":73168,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-509.1","catch_line":"Powers of investigators; enforcement of certain tobacco laws","url":"\/2.2-509.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-509.1","metadata":false},{"id":71775,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-510","catch_line":"Employment of special counsel generally","url":"\/2.2-510\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":76548,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-510.1","catch_line":"Open negotiation for employment of special counsel","url":"\/2.2-510.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-510.1","metadata":false},{"id":75372,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-510.2","catch_line":"Employment of outside counsel where a conflict of interests exists","url":"\/2.2-510.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-510.2","metadata":false},{"id":77776,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-511","catch_line":"Criminal cases","url":"\/2.2-511\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":54665,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-511.1","catch_line":"Public integrity; law-enforcement misconduct","url":"\/2.2-511.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-511.1","metadata":false},{"id":70939,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-511.2","catch_line":"Organized Retail Crime Fund; report","url":"\/2.2-511.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-511.2","metadata":false},{"id":80182,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-512","catch_line":"Employment of special counsel to prosecute persons illegally practicing law","url":"\/2.2-512\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":72479,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-513","catch_line":"Counsel for Commonwealth in federal matters","url":"\/2.2-513\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":82895,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-514","catch_line":"Compromise and settlement of disputes","url":"\/2.2-514\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":61890,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-515","catch_line":"Service on board of national tobacco trust entity","url":"\/2.2-515\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":57789,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-515.1","catch_line":"Statewide Facilitator for Victims of Domestic Violence","url":"\/2.2-515.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-515.1","metadata":false},{"id":63732,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-515.2","catch_line":"Address confidentiality program established; victims of domestic violence, stalking, child abduction, sexual violence, or human trafficking; application; disclosure of records","url":"\/2.2-515.2\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-515.2","metadata":false},{"id":81041,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-516","catch_line":"Annual report","url":"\/2.2-516\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-516","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":60882,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-509","catch_line":"Representation in administrative proceedings","url":"\/2.2-509\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-509","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":71775,"structure_id":13688,"section_number":"2.2-510","catch_line":"Employment of special counsel generally","url":"\/2.2-510\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-510","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-509.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2006. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0695\">695<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2015, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?151+ful+CHAP0038\">38<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?151+ful+CHAP0730\">730<\/a>; in 2024, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?241+ful+CHAP0540\">540<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":66398,"section_number":"18.2-246.14","catch_line":"Counterfeit cigarettes; penalty; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-246.14\/"},{"id":80296,"section_number":"3.2-4200","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-4200\/"},{"id":74369,"section_number":"3.2-4207","catch_line":"Prohibition against stamping or sale or import of cigarettes not in the Directory","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-4207\/"},{"id":75931,"section_number":"58.1-1015","catch_line":"Removal, reuse, unauthorized sale, etc., of stamps; counterfeit stamps; seizure and forfeiture; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-1015\/"},{"id":61506,"section_number":"58.1-1017","catch_line":"Sale, purchase, possession, etc., of cigarettes for purpose of evading tax; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-1017\/"},{"id":83016,"section_number":"58.1-1037","catch_line":"Seizure","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-1037\/"}],"permalink":{"id":172359,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73168,"identifier":"2.2-509.1","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-509.1","url":"\/2.2-509.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-509.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/B\/5\/1\/2.2-509.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Powers of investigators; enforcement of certain tobacco laws","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-509.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Investigators with the Office of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Attorney General<\/span> as designated by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Attorney General<\/span> shall be authorized to seize cigarettes as defined in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/3.2-4200\/\">3.2-4200<\/a> that are sold, possessed, distributed, transported, imported, or otherwise held in violation of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Prohibition against stamping or sale or import of cigarettes not in the Directory\" href=\"\/3.2-4207\/\">3.2-4207<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Counterfeit cigarettes; penalty; civil penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-246.14\/\">18.2-246.14<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Removal, reuse, unauthorized sale, etc., of stamps; counterfeit stamps; seizure and forfeiture; penalties\" href=\"\/58.1-1015\/\">58.1-1015<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Sale, purchase, possession, etc., of cigarettes for purpose of evading tax; penalties\" href=\"\/58.1-1017\/\">58.1-1017<\/a>, or <a class=\"law\" title=\"Seizure\" href=\"\/58.1-1037\/\">58.1-1037<\/a>. In addition, such investigators shall be authorized to accompany and participate with special agents of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority or other <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officials engaging in an enforcement action under \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Prohibition against stamping or sale or import of cigarettes not in the Directory\" href=\"\/3.2-4207\/\">3.2-4207<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Counterfeit cigarettes; penalty; civil penalty\" href=\"\/18.2-246.14\/\">18.2-246.14<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Removal, reuse, unauthorized sale, etc., of stamps; counterfeit stamps; seizure and forfeiture; penalties\" href=\"\/58.1-1015\/\">58.1-1015<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Sale, purchase, possession, etc., of cigarettes for purpose of evading tax; penalties\" href=\"\/58.1-1017\/\">58.1-1017<\/a>, or <a class=\"law\" title=\"Seizure\" href=\"\/58.1-1037\/\">58.1-1037<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOWERS OF INVESTIGATORS; ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN TOBACCO LAWS (\u00a7 2.2-509.1)\n\nInvestigators with the Office of the Attorney General as designated by the\nAttorney General shall be authorized to seize cigarettes as defined in \u00a7\n3.2-4200 that are sold, possessed, distributed, transported, imported, or\notherwise held in violation of \u00a7 3.2-4207, 18.2-246.14, 58.1-1015, 58.1-1017,\nor 58.1-1037. In addition, such investigators shall be authorized to accompany\nand participate with special agents of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control\nAuthority or other law-enforcement officials engaging in an enforcement action\nunder \u00a7 3.2-4207, 18.2-246.14, 58.1-1015, 58.1-1017, or 58.1-1037.\n\nHISTORY: 2006, c. 695; 2015, cc. 38, 730; 2024, c. 540.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}