Distiller Raided Over Claims Of Locally-made Gin

Customs officers have arrested two people they say had claimed to be distillers of "Hong Kong's first locally produced gin", but allegedly sold imported spirit from overseas instead.

Customs said they seized 3,460 bottles of gin, and a large distiller, and some gin bottle labels after raiding a unit at the Wah Chun Industrial Centre in Tsuen Wan on Wednesday. The total market value of the seized goods was around HK$1.48 million, they said.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, Divisional Commander Joy Wong said the company had been in operation for about half a year.

Wong said officers found the firm after it claimed on social media and in promotional materials to be distillers of Hong Kong's first locally-produced gin.

However, an initial investigation found that the outfit had not applied for a distillery licence, and only two gin distilleries in Hong Kong have such paperwork.

She said officers suspect the company imported the gin from New Zealand and relabelled it, passing it off as their own.

Wong also said the distiller they found at the scene had been featured in promotional photos for the company, but it was covered in dust and appears to have never been used.

Customs said they recovered 157 bottles of gin that had been on the market, and samples had been sent to a government laboratory for testing.

The two people arrested, including the company's director, aged 40 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of violating the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.