(a) Any person in the business of selling alcoholic beverages in another state or country who knowingly and intentionally ships or causes to be shipped any alcoholic beverages directly to any resident of this state who does not hold a valid manufacturer’s, importer’s, broker’s, or wholesaler’s license issued by the State of Georgia is in violation of this chapter.
(b) Any person found by the commissioner to be in violation of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be issued a cease and desist order by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery. Any person who, after receiving a cease and desist order, is found by the commissioner to be in violation of subsection (a) of this Code section for a second or subsequent occurrence, within a two-year period of the first violation, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.00. This subsection shall not apply to any person who has registered brands for sale with the commissioner pursuant to Code Section 3-4-152, 3-5-31 or 3-6-22 and who shall have current licenses and posted adequate surety bonds as required by this title; provided, however, violations of the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall constitute grounds for the
commissioner to take appropriate administrative action against such person, including suspension or cancellation of license and forfeiture of
bonds.
(c) This Code section shall not apply to the direct shipment of sacramental alcoholic beverages to bona fide religious organizations as authorized by the commissioner.