Press Release:
[BeerPulse note: though beer is not specifically mentioned as part of the release, the results of the investigation could indirectly sales of beer at these establishments]
(Trenton, NJ) – Attorney General Jeffrey Chi...
Press Release:
[BeerPulse note: though beer is not specifically mentioned as part of the release, the results of the investigation could indirectly sales of beer at these establishments]
(Trenton, NJ) – Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Director Michael Halfacre today announced the details of “Operation Swill,” a raid executed the previous day by more than 100 ABC and Division of Criminal Justice investigators that targeted 29 establishments that were allegedly substituting premium alcoholic beverage brands with “well brand spirits,” i.e., non-premium brands.
Specifically, the ABC investigation indicates that these 29 establishments were allegedly engaging in a practice of filling premium brand bottles with non-premium brands in an effort to deceive the customer and increase their profits. The customer paid for the premium brand, but was instead, unbeknownst to the customer, poured the non-premium brand.
“This alleged scheme is a dishonest ruse to increase profits, and it is a slap in the face to the consumer,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “Consumers should have the peace of mind of knowing that they will get what they spent their hard-earned money on every single time – no exceptions.”
“I believe Operation Swill will go a long way towards restoring that peace of mind and will also serve as a warning to anyone currently engaging in, or thinking about engaging in, this fraudulent practice,” added Chiesa.
Investigators yesterday visited the establishments, inspected the bar areas and seized all opened bottles of the following brands:
Vodka: Finlandia, Smirnoff, Absolut, Grey Goose, Ketel One
Gin: Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Gordon’s
Rum: Bacardi Light, Bacardi Dark, Captain Morgan Spiced
Scotch: Johnny Walker Black, Dewar’s
Whiskey: Jack Daniel’s Black Label, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Maker’s Mark
Tequila: Jose Cuervo Silver, Jose Cuervo Gold, Patron Silver
The ABC seized approximately 1,000 bottles yesterday, and that inventory is being securely stored with the ABC Investigations Bureau. The alcohol will go through more rounds of testing by the ABC and the manufacturers.
The operation focused on the 29 establishments because of information from confidential informants, consumer complaints and testing of samples conducted by both the ABC and the manufacturers of the brands. The samples were taken in January and February when ABC investigators visited 63 licensed establishments across the state and covertly took 150 samples. The undercover ABC detectives visited these establishments and secured samples of premium brand spirits by paying for drinks ordered “neat” – that is with no ice or mixer. Some of the locations visited had previous complaints against them, and some were chosen at random.
ABC Director Halfacre said the Division receives numerous consumer complaints about this practice every year.
“These cases can be difficult to prosecute because of the fleeting nature of the offense, and evidence of the offense is nearly impossible to collect after the fact,” Halfacre said.
“The ABC made the determination that the best way to address and eradicate this problem was with a coordinated effort like ‘Operation Swill’.”
Following the sample collection in January and February, the ABC tested the 150 samples using a new testing technology, a device called the True Spirit Authenticator. This machine provides a preliminary analysis of samples in a short span of time. In addition, the samples were sent to the laboratories of the brand manufacturers where additional testing of the samples was conducted. It was found that of the 150 samples 30 were not the brand they purported to be.
The International Federation of Spirits Producers, which represents those manufacturers, cooperated in this process and indicated to the ABC that drink substitution was a challenge for their business.
“The establishments raided yesterday by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control were targeted b