An illegal laboratory for the preparation and bottling of alcoholic beverages, as well as two other storage areas for illegal – adulterated alcoholic beverages and counterfeit materials for bottling and packaging of alcoholic beverages were detected on 5/5 in Aspropyrgos and Kallithea by inspection crews of the Operational Directorate S.D.O.E. Attica, after appropriate utilization of information provided by the Coordinating Operations Center (SEC).

At the checkpoints, 1,360 bottles of alcoholic beverages and plastic pet containers, 1,030 fake stickers, 2,000 caps bearing fake brands of branded alcoholic beverages, 1,000 cardboard packaging boxes, a large number of empty bottles of branded alcoholic beverages which were to be refilled with the illegal – counterfeit were confiscated distilled alcoholic beverage , bottling machines, bottle filling machines, pumps with corresponding water purification filters and tools for heat gluing labels.

All of the seized quantities of alcoholic beverages lacked tax and customs documents.

Samples were taken so that they could be examined in a laboratory by the Chemical Service and any risk to public health could be determined, while the confiscated quantities of alcoholic beverages were transferred to storage areas for safekeeping and the competent Customs was informed to determine the missing taxes and duties.

The damage to the trademark holders (producers of alcoholic beverages) and the illegal financial gain is estimated to exceed the amount of 250,000 euros.

Two people, Greeks, aged 44 and 43, were arrested for the case, against whom a case was filed for forgery, violation of the customs code, violation of the law on trademarks and unfair competition, as well as the Commercial Code.

The smuggling of alcoholic beverages extends beyond the borders of any country and is a major global threat to the health of citizens, points out the S.D.O.E.

As he emphasizes, the fight against organized economic crime continues unabated, it is in constant cooperation with international organizations and other prosecuting authorities to dismantle criminal networks and reduce the risk posed by the products of illegal trafficking to public health and the effective protection of consumers, but also of the economic interests of our country and by extension the EU, preventing fraud in all its forms.