Fake luxury liquor racket busted at Delhi government store in Narela
Delhi excise officials uncovered a fake liquor racket in a government-run store in Narela, where employees were caught refilling empty premium whisky and vodka bottles with cheap liquor and water. The operation included purchasing used bottles from scrap dealers, relabeling them with fake bar codes, and selling at premium prices. The outlet was sealed, and police registered a case while seizing bottles, equipment, and a vehicle.
A raid conducted by the Delhi excise department at the Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (DSIIDC) liquor vend in a Narela mall exposed a sophisticated fake 'luxury liquor' racket. Four employees were caught in the act of refilling empty premium whisky and vodka bottles, including brands like Glenlivet, Black Dog, Chivas Regal, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Hendrick's Gin, and Godawan, with cheaper, locally sourced liquor and water. These bottles were purchased from scrap dealers and relabeled with counterfeit bar codes to pass them off as genuine. A vehicle parked outside contained additional empty bottles for illicit refilling. The police registered a case, seized 106 empty bottles, 39 premium bottles, refilling equipment, and a Swift Dzire car suspected to be part of the operation. Samples of the refilled liquor were sent for chemical analysis, and the store was sealed pending investigation. This racket not only cheats consumers but also causes significant revenue loss to the state. Similar operations have recently been busted in other states, highlighting a wider issue of illegal rebottling and adulteration in the premium liquor market.
