2 Arrested as Police Uncover Elaborate Counterfeit Booze Operation Involving Needle-Thin Holes and Porcelain Powder
Authorities in China seize a batch of moutai suspected of being fraudulent, exposing pinholes hidden behind the labels of 30 bottles. (Photo: Kweichow Moutai)
Reports have emerged from China detailing a sophisticated counterfeiting operation involving moutai, the national liquor of China. The incident, which transpired in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, saw authorities confiscate a batch of the colorless sorghum-based spirit suspected of being fraudulent.
According to The Strait Times, the Hangzhou Gongshu Market Superintend Management Bureau disclosed the case on Dec. 12 via WeChat, citing a merchant who raised concerns about the authenticity of 95 purchased bottles of Kweichow Flying Fairy Moutai. Valued at 250,000 yuan (about $35,354), the bottles were subjected to random inspections, revealing covert pinholes “as thick as hair” behind labels on 30 bottles, per the report.
Collaborating with the moutai distillery, experts discovered that the counterfeiters employed intricate methods. China Daily reported on Tuesday that the culprits meticulously removed labels and utilized specialized equipment to drill minuscule 0.2mm holes through which the substitution occurred. The holes were claimed to be discreetly sealed with porcelain powder, concealed beneath the reattached labels.
“The perpetrators carefully drilled needle-thin holes, avoiding label damage, and refilled the bottles with cheap alcohol before sealing them with porcelain powder,” the publication stated. “This meticulous method made detection challenging even for experienced distributors.”
In a recent inquiry spearheaded by the Ningbo Police, the origin of the fraudulent moutai was traced back to salespersons conducting door-to-door visits for a Ningbo-based company, per China Daily. The illicit liquor was found to be supplied in six separate batches.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the case. China Daily stated that further investigations are in progress.
In response to this incident, the Gongshu Bureau emphasized the importance of consumer vigilance, urging individuals to meticulously inspect moutai bottles before making purchases. The bureau strongly advocated acquiring moutai exclusively through authorized channels to mitigate the risk of unwittingly obtaining counterfeit products.
Moutai is a jiangxiang baijiu originating from Maotai, Guizhou Province, China. Characterized as a luxury product, it is crafted using sorghum, wheat and water. Employing traditional Chinese distilling techniques, it yields a distinctively nutty and savory flavor often related to roasted nuts. Moutai is frequently enjoyed at celebratory events and serves as an ideal item for gift-giving. Some rare bottlings of the spirit have even fetched upwards of $22,200 at auctions.
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