Mozambique's National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE) recognizes that around 80% of the popular brands of alcoholic drinks circulating in the country are counterfeit and sold at significantly lower prices than the original drinks.

This illegal business is fueled by networks of corruption that start at the borders and spread to urban markets, under the conniving eye of various authorities responsible for inspection.

To change the situation, the National Association of Producers and Importers of Alcoholic Beverages (APIBA) advocates awareness-raising campaigns, strengthening legislation and training inspectors and technicians to monitor popular brands of alcoholic beverages.

In a publication by AIMINAE's Inspector General, Rita Freitas, said that her institution faces limitations in combating the phenomenon, as it is currently limited to seizing drinks that don't have the mandatory customs seal and reporting the problem to the Tax Authority (AT).

"With all due respect, there are a lot of crooks in this area. I began to notice that my team was favoring this inspection because they were making money. The alcoholic drinks seized were stolen and sold on. Even when the goods were handed over to the AT, they weren't properly accounted for, feeding the market for counterfeit products," he admitted.

In her opinion, the labeling of beverages should have been formally transferred from AT to INAE, in order to establish "institutional clarity in the fight against smuggling".

"Unfortunately, INAE cannot prove whether a gin or whisky is counterfeit or not. INAE has neither the training nor the equipment to carry out laboratory tests. We need to collaborate with partners who can provide experts in the field," said Freitas, stressing that by not taking these precautions, the market is saturated with drinks of dubious quality, offered at extremely low prices.

(Photo DR)