This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: When the Booze is Busted
This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays we have four legal stories from around the world reminding us there are always people try to skirt the system. What you may not know about me is that I am one of the owners of a distillery. While B.C. is in the middle of a liquor shortage due to government union job action, I thought it was important to remind people that you are not permitted to make or sell spirits without a license and all that goes with it. The only way to purchase spirits is from private liquor stores or directly from a distillery like ours at Deep Blue Distilleries. Vodka has been flying off the shelves these past few weeks. Inevitably someone will see this as an opportunity to make and sell illegal alcohol but I’m warning you now, bootleggers always get caught.
The Fake Label Factory – Athens, Greece
Greek police smashed a full-blown counterfeit alcohol ring earlier this year. Seventeen people were arrested and more than 2,000 litres of unlawful booze seized, along with thousands of fake labels, empty bottles, and firearms. The gang had everything set up to make their fakes look like the real deal.
The Backyard Brewery – Thane, India
In Ambernath, outside Mumbai, crime branch officers raided an illegal distillery that looked like something out of a movie set. A 24-year-old man was detained, and authorities seized 105 litres of liquor, nearly 900 litres of fermenting wash, and literally tonnes of raw material.
The Eatery Front – Kharar, India
In Mohali district, the police discovered that one local restaurant wasn’t just serving food. The owner had turned his eatery into a cover for illegal booze sales, stocking a wide selection of liquor and beer to sell out the back. The haul included 67 bottles of spirits, 112 beer bottles, 40 cans, and 35 ready-to-drink nips. A dinner special it wasn’t.
The After-Hours Club – Vancouver, Canada
Closer to home, police recently raided an unlicensed after-hours nightclub in Vancouver’s Davie Village, seizing liquor and other contraband. The B.C. government has gone so far as to target the owner’s home for forfeiture. It’s a stark reminder that in this province, getting caught selling outside the system comes with heavy consequences.
The Takeaway
In B.C., you don’t need to sneak around to buy spirits. But you may need to line up at a private store or stop by a distillery. At Deep Blue Distilleries, we sell superior vodka, legally, and by the case. When the shelves are empty elsewhere, it’s the perfect time to pour on the Charm or pick up a bottle of Fighter.
