UNDATED, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Data released by the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA) indicates that almost one in every third bottle of wine was shipped to Michigan illegally in the first quarter of 2019.
The MB&WWA reports that a total of 408,397 bottles were shipped to Michigan in the first quarter of this year, approximately 130,000 of which were shipped illegally.
“The latest quarterly shipping report shows no signs of the disturbing trend of retailers skirting state law and shipping wine illegally into Michigan letting up,” Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association President Spencer Nevins said in a press release.
“When unlicensed out-of-state retailers illegally ship alcohol into Michigan, they are robbing our state of much needed tax revenue and thumbing their nose at the mom and pop retailers that support our local communities.”
The MB&WWA began studying the issue of illegal wine shipments last year. It was discovered by the organization that nearly 300,000 bottles were shipped illegally in the second and fourth quarters of 2018.
“As more and more data become available each quarter, one thing is clear: Out-of-state retailers show no regard for Michigan law,” Nevins said in the press release. “We encourage the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to investigate each and every complaint and continue cracking down on these bad actors.”
