Venice police seize alcohol following spritz fraud investigation

Local police in Venice have seized alcohol products in the Cannaregio district following reports of fraudulent practices involving the spritz cocktail. Authorities discovered bottles of well-known brands, including Aperol and Campari, with tampered seals, removed caps, and detached state tax stamps.

Investigations suggest that lower-quality, cheaper liquids were being decanted into original brand packaging to increase profit margins. While using generic brands is not illegal, the act of misrepresenting the contents within original packaging constitutes fraud. In addition to the suspected product substitution, inspectors identified various food and hygiene-related irregularities at the establishment.

Municipal Commerce Councilor Sebastiano Costalonga noted that such practices damage the reputation of honest business owners and mislead consumers. He emphasized that the cost difference between authentic brands and generic substitutes can be as high as fourfold, and vowed that inspections will continue to protect the credibility of Venice's commercial sector.