Bottles and labels were seized, and criminal proceedings were initiated for usurpation of designation of origin.

In a statement, the ASAE said it carried out an inspection operation at a wine bottling, marketing, and export unit, where a concealed and false wall was detected hiding an area where Douro Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) wines were being bottled and distributed, and where bottles of wine prepared for illegal labelling were stored.

As a result, this illegal unit was dismantled and 1,326 bottles of wine were seized "for being improperly labelled" as Douro DOC reserve wines, as well as 12,000 labels indicating Douro DOC reserve.

ASAE stated that a criminal case was also initiated for the crime of usurping a designation of origin and that the facts were reported to the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP).

The operation had the technical support of the Douro and Porto Wines Institute (IVDP) regarding the origin of the wines.

Conducted by the Specialized Brigade for Fraudulent Practices of the Northern Regional Unit of ASAE, the operation aimed to combat fraudulent practices involving wines with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), DOC, and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the municipality of Vila Real.

According to ASAE (the Portuguese Food Safety and Economic Authority), the objective was "to safeguard the authenticity and quality of the region's wines, ensuring rigor in all phases of production, packaging, distribution and marketing, guaranteeing that the products respect their declared geographical origins."

The wine sector is one of the most important in the national economy, according to that criminal police body, therefore, it guaranteed that it will continue to reinforce inspection actions in this sector, combating fraudulent and deceptive practices throughout the national territory and promoting healthy and fair competition among economic operators.