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| Cheap alcohol seized by police |
(Scroll down for video) New Jersey bars and restaurant were caught selling rubbing alcohol mixed with coloring to make it appear as expensive scotch, according to a statement released by New Jersey police.
In bars, medical grade alcohol mixed with caramel coloring was sold as whiskey. In restaurants, high priced liquor bottles were filled with dirty water.
State officials provided that the new details Thursday after raids took place the day before as part of a yearlong investigation called Operation Swill.
Twenty-nine New Jersey bars and restaurants including 13 TGI Fridays, were accused of substituting cheap alcohol, or worse, for good, while charging premium prices.
As part of Operation Swill, detectives collected 1,000 open bottles of vodka and other alcoholic bottles, Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said.
"This was a fraudulent plan to increase profits and is a slap in the face to the consumer," Chiesa said.
Within seven days, establishments must turn over records to help state officials determine how many clients were defrauded and to what extent.
TGI Fridays Inc. said it was conducting its own investigation, in collaboration with the franchisee that owns the 13 restaurants cited.
Since the beginning of the year, detectives went to 63 stores that were suspected of scamming customers. They ordered drinks without ice or mixers, and then secretly took samples for testing.
Of 150 samples taken, 30 were not the brand as the one sold.
“I am shocked of what was discovered. I pay hefty prices for drinks at bars and all I get is cheap alcohol I can buy for $1 at the local pharmacy. I am very angry to say the least, and for the time being I will not buy any drinks at bars and restaurants,” April Doyle, 29, of Toms River, New Jersey told YourJewishNews.com when asked to comment on the alcohol scandal.
Establishments face suspensions of their liquor licenses and possible revocations if there are enough violations.Mobile video not loading? Click here to view