Two people aged 60 and 51 were arrested for the case
SDOE identified four places of illegal bottling of adulterated drinks in Athens and Agios Dimitrios after a long-term investigation, as stated in a statement, while two people aged 60 and 51, respectively, were arrested for the case, against whom a case file was filed for forgery, violation of the customs code, violation of the law on trademarks and unfair competition , as well as the Commercial Code.
In particular, four places of illegal bottling and storage of illegal – adulterated alcoholic beverages and counterfeit materials for bottling and packaging alcoholic beverages (stoppers, membrane adhesive labels, cartons of branded alcoholic beverages) were identified by the Operational Directorate of S.D.O.E. Attica during a coordinated operation, which took place on 03/10/2023, in storage areas, vehicles and houses of involved persons, in the areas of Athens and Agios Dimitrios Attica. The Service, after many months of methodical research and appropriate utilization of information regarding smuggling of products subject to E.F.K. proceeded to the specific business, in the effort to combat the smuggling of products subject to E.F.K.
At the checkpoints, bottling machines, bottle filling machines, pumps with corresponding water purification filters, 1,380 fake adhesive labels and 706 fake caps of branded alcoholic beverages, 40 packaging cartons and 2,249 empty bottles of branded alcoholic drinks (ready to fill), label gluing tools, as well as and a total of 430lt of alcoholic beverages contained in 382 pieces of consumer branded alcoholic beverage bottles, PET and tanks, ready for disposal. All of the confiscated quantities of alcoholic beverages lacked tax and customs documents. In addition, a sum of money of €4,400 was found and confiscated, as well as items that fall under the legislation on illegal possession of weapons.
Two persons (a citizen and a foreigner) aged 60 and 51, respectively, 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, in which one of the above persons was additionally charged with the crime of illegal weapon possession. A third citizen, aged 30, escaped arrest and is being sought.
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 owners of the marks (producers of alcoholic beverages) who brought to their surface the counterfeit bottles of branded alcoholic beverages were informed to determine the financial loss they suffered.
The smuggling of alcoholic beverages extends beyond the borders of any country and is a major global threat to public health.
In its announcement, S.D.O.E. states that it continues unabated the battle against organized economic crime, 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 effective protection of consumers, but also of the economic interests of our country and by extension the EU, preventing fraud in all its forms.
Source: Skai
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
