News

China seizes 75,000 cases of counterfeit alcohol

18 June 2026 By Ron Emler

Chinese authorities have dismantled several criminal networks involved in the production and sale of counterfeit spirits marketed as exclusive government and military products. The nationwide crackdown resulted in more than 75,000 cases of illicit alcohol being seized and dozens of arrests.

Faking of premium wine and spirits brands has long been a headache in trading with China, with the authorities often being less than rigorous in tracking down the criminals.

That is especially true when fake bottles, labels, capsules and closures are available on an industrial scale throughout the Far East.

But Vino Joy reports that recently the police have been more active when the counterfeits were targeted at a market that affected them directly, so-called “special supply” lines.

The State Council’s food safety office focused its attention on alcohol falsely marketed as being reserved for government agencies, the military or other official institutions.

Major counterfeit networks dismantled

As a result, it said it had broken up several criminal networks tied to counterfeit “special supply” alcohol, seizing more than 75,000 cases of illegal products and detaining 40 suspects in a nationwide crackdown.

Apparently, the crackdown began after online monitoring and media reports identified products sold under brands that suggested official or military connections.

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Investigators uncovered 75,200 boxes of illicit booze, most of which were described as counterfeit baijiu made by blending industrially produced alcohol with flavourings and then packaging the drinks as premium spirits.

Generally it is impossible to bring a case until all the components in a fake chain are brought together, the liquor, the bottles and the packaging. These are then usually distributed via small, hard-to-track independent retail operations.

Online sellers also targeted

But due to the scale of the “special supply” faking, the authorities say they have broken up large organised groups involved in 52 cases, with 40 people under arrest charged with false advertising and the manufacture or sale of counterfeit goods.

As part of the clampdown authorities shut down five licensed liquor manufacturers and 36 sales groups linked to the scheme. They also dismantled three unlicensed production sites and investigated one flavouring manufacturer along with seven packaging and printing companies that were part of the supply chain.

They also uncovered violations involving seven internet platform operators, 61 online stores suspected of selling fake booze and 78 livestreaming channels accused of using misleading marketing tactics to attract buyers.