IN BREVE
- Over 1.3 million liters of red wine, valued at more than €4.3 million, have been seized by the Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza of Foggia.
- The operation was launched following a report from the Special Antitrust Unit and aims to combat unfair commercial practices in the wine sector.
- During the inspections, a significant surplus of product emerged that was not justified by official records.
- The seizure took place thanks to the monitoring of warehouse stock and involved a joint-stock company active in the wine sector.
- This action confirms the synergy between the Guardia di Finanza and the ICQRF in combating agri-food fraud and protecting honest producers.
Over 1.3 million liters of red wine, with an estimated commercial value of more than €4.3 million, have been seized by officers from the Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza of Foggia. The operation was conducted alongside officials from the Central Inspectorate for Quality Protection and Fraud Repression of Agri-Food Products for Puglia and Basilicata (ICQRF).
The administrative measure was triggered following a report from the Special Antitrust Unit of the Guardia di Finanza. The activity is part of the controls related to the 2025 harvest season and the fight against unfair commercial practices. These practices include ‘ghost wine’ passing through commercially dishonest wineries.
UNJUSTIFIED SURPLUS IN WAREHOUSES
The operation was carried out by the Economic-Financial Police Unit of Foggia and ICQRF inspectors from Bari. During the checks, a significant surplus of product emerged that was not justified compared to official records.
Thanks to the audit of warehouse stock, it was possible to ascertain the irregularity and order the seizure of the wine. The product was produced by a joint-stock company active in the wine sector.
COOPERATION BETWEEN GDF AND ICQRF
The action is part of the collaboration between the Guardia di Finanza and the ICQRF, strengthened by the memorandum of understanding signed on December 21, 2022. According to the statement, the agreement is proving effective in combating fraud in the agri-food sector.
Authorities emphasize that the operation confirms “the absolute synergy between law enforcement and other control bodies. Furthermore, it demonstrates the daily commitment to protecting agri-food production, defending honest producers, and strengthening the credibility of the national agri-food heritage.”
