Clandestine production of counterfeit vodka discovered in Armenia

YEREVAN, April 22. /ARKA/. The Armenian State Revenue Committee has revealed a case involving the illegal production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

According to the department's press service, tips were received regarding the clandestine operation of an alcohol production facility in Abovyan, located within the Kotayk region.

To investigate the situation, officials conducted a test purchase intended to expose the manufacturing and distribution of fake vodka. During the operation, they acquired ten bottles (0.7 liters of vodka.

Equipment for vodka production, empty bottles with labels of various manufacturers, corks, homemade filters, alcohol-containing liquids in various containers, as well as a stainless steel container with a volume of 1 ton filled with a liquid similar to alcohol were found in the premises. In addition, 82 bottles of vodka of various names were found without excise stamps or control identification marks.

At the location in question, vodka was produced without the legally required notification, leading to significant damage to the state. Consequently, a criminal case has been opened under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

To protect against the purchase of counterfeit alcohol of unknown origin, the State Revenue Committee urges citizens to utilize the E-MARK mobile app to scan control identification marks.-0-