Vietnamese making fake Chivas whisky captured
Ho Chi Minh City police have arrested a Vietnamese suspect for producing and delivering counterfeit whisky, officials said on January 26.
Police officers found Pham Thanh Phong, 36, exhibiting suspicious behavior when they were carrying out a random inspection in District 2 last week.
They suspected that Phong were preparing to deliver five counterfeit bottles of Chivas 38, or Royal Salute 38 Years Old, to the Mien Dong Bus Station in Binh Thanh District so officers held the man for a sudden check on January 22.
None of the bottles were genuine and no legal documents were found to prove their origin, police said.
Officers searched Phong’s house and found dozens of empty glass bottles, labels of various foreign alcohol brands, fake stamps, and brewing tools.
The suspect admitted that he had bought used Chivas bottles and washed them to make the fake whisky that fetches VND7 million (US$314) apiece.
The bottles were then filled with St-Rémy, a cheaper kind of whisky, and were given a bogus Royal Salute 38 Years Old label.
The counterfeits were sold to consumers in provinces and cities in the central and southeastern regions, including Vung Tau City and Ho Chi Minh City.
The man is being held for further investigation, District 2 officials said.
