Several criminal networks involved in 'special-supply' liquor dismantled

China has dismantled several criminal networks involved in the production and sale of counterfeit "special-supply" liquor, seizing more than 75,000 cases of illegal products and arresting 40 suspects in a recent crackdown, the State Council's food safety office said on Friday.

The campaign targeted the manufacture and marketing of liquor falsely promoted as being supplied exclusively to government agencies, the military or other official institutions, the office said at a news conference.

The operation was launched following online monitoring and media reports that identified products marketed under names such as Jingzong No 1 and Juntai, which falsely implied links to government or military organizations.

Investigators uncovered 75,200 boxes of illicit "special-supply" liquor through a probe involving market regulators and public security authorities.

According to officials, most of the products were counterfeit sauce-aroma baijiu made by blending industrially produced alcohol with flavoring agents and then packaging the drinks as premium products.

The investigation dismantled organized criminal groups responsible for producing and distributing the liquor. Forty suspects have been detained on suspicion of offenses including false advertising and manufacturing or selling counterfeit products.

So far, 52 cases involving the illegal production and sale of "special-supply" liquor have been handled. Authorities shut down five licensed liquor manufacturers and 36 sales entities linked to the scheme, dismantled three unlicensed production sites, investigated one flavoring manufacturer and seven packaging and printing companies, cutting off an industrial chain, the office said.

Meanwhile, violations were found in seven internet platform operators, 61 online stores suspected of selling the counterfeit liquor and 78 livestreaming channels accused of using misleading marketing tactics to lure consumers.

Regulators ordered the removal of all identified products and related promotional content from online platforms.

Sun Huichuan, food safety director at the State Administration for Market Regulation, warned businesses against attempting to profit from such claims, saying authorities would continue to pursue violators aggressively regardless of how the products are branded or marketed.

Consumers are also urged not to believe promotional claims suggesting that alcoholic products are reserved for government bodies or other internal channels.