Prosecution of Russian Alcohol Smuggling Results in Conviction of Traditional U.S. Distiller

An elaborate Russian organized crime operation to smuggle U.S. grain alcohol into Russia has resulted in a conviction of McCormick Distilling of Weston, Missouri, and has uncovered a massive scheme whereby Russian mobsters are buying grain alcohol abroad and shipping it to Eastern Europe and Russia in disguise to avoid import taxes and enable them to make vodka for sale. The scheme was carried out through a loose-knit network of companies that has smuggled tens of millions of gallons of U.S.-made grain alcohol, including some from one of the oldest distilleries (McCormick), to Eastern Europe. To successfully smuggle the 192-proof alcohol, the smugglers disguised the liquid with dye and shipped it in giant containers marked as cologne, mouthwash, cleaning solvent, and other goods...[more]