GREECE: Adulterated alcohol frauds revealed

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 28 July 2005

Government inspectors carrying out checks on bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the greater Athens area have found that 100% of samples of rum and tequila had been adulterated.

The finance ministry's financial crime squad, SDOE, which carried out inspections in 39 outlets, also said that half the vodka samples and 20% of the whisky samples tested were found to have been tampered with.

Bar owners are known to serve illicitly produced alcohol, saving huge sums in excise. Such illicit alcohol often causes ill effects such as headaches or in more serious cases permanent blindness or death.

Sectors: Spirits