2024-01-19 23:36:01
The Civil Police of São Paulo arrested a group of 31 people in the act on Friday afternoon, 19, on suspicion of counterfeiting beer bottles. The operation took place in a clandestine factory, which operated in the Jardim Ângela neighborhood, in the south of the capital.
According to the Public Security Secretariat (SSP), the scheme involved exchanging labels and caps on cheaper products for others that copied better-known brands, such as Original, Antártica, Skol and Brahma. Afterwards, the bottles were offered to merchants for lower prices than usual.
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According to the ministry, police officers were called by sellers from Bom Retiro, in the central region of the capital of São Paulo, to initially investigate a suspected irregularity in a truck transporting drinks that had had their labels tampered with.
Due to the amount charged by transporters, the hypothesis raised by traders is that the cargo could be stolen. The agents then began monitoring the truck and followed the vehicle to a warehouse that, according to preliminary information, was open 24 hours a day in the south zone.
The crimes of the fake beer makers
Upon arriving at the scene, the police claim to have found a large movement of people and some men washing and closing beer bottles with a press, which prompted the police to enter. With the presence of agents, some suspects tried to flee, but were approached.
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In total, 683 boxes, containing 24 full bottles each, were seized. During the inspection of the property, the press, glue and equipment for placing the lids were located.
The 31 suspects were taken to the 2nd Police District (Bom Retiro), where the case was registered as criminal association and forgery, corruption, adulteration or alteration of products intended for therapeutic or medicinal purposes.
Magazine West, with information from State Agency
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