DENPASAR – The Indonesian government is continuing its purge on booze in Bali.
Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com), quoing local news sources, says authorities have seized thousands of bottles of imported alcohol which either lacked the required excise stickers or bore counterfeit stickers.
The value of the 2,827 bottles of liquor seized at two locations in Bali is estimated at US$53,00.
The seized imported beverages were comprised of wines and hard liquor originating from U.S. and European manufacturers.
Local tourism observers continue to warn that high taxes imposed on liquor and wine imports create ripe opportunities for black market activities.
They are also warning that threatened tax increases of as much as 300 percent have the potential of damaging Bali tourism where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is an important part of a holiday visitor’s experience.
