In a statement, ASAE clarified that it conducted a crime prevention operation, led by the Wine and Viticulture Brigade of the North Regional Unit, targeting a wine distribution warehouse in the North region of the country.

"During the inspection, the storage and sale of wine packaged in bottles labelled with a designation of origin recognized by the consumer was detected, especially wines from the Douro Region, in clear violation of applicable legislation," the same statement states.

According to ASAE, this situation allowed the economic operator to pass off the product as wine with characteristics and authenticity that it did not actually possess, misleading the consumer, thus obtaining higher-than-undue profits and fostering unfair competition in the market.

"As a result of the inspection, approximately 3,256 litres of wine were seized and the corresponding criminal proceedings were initiated for fraud involving goods, falsification of labels and usurpation of the DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) designation of origin," says the same note.