Police arrest 20 suspects after million euro Bordeaux wine theft
French police have arrested 20 men suspected of involvement in the theft of top Bordeaux wines totalling more than a million euros, a police spokesman said on Monday.
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An operation, involving more than 300 officers in several areas of southwestern France and the Paris region, had dismantled a "very structured, professional" operation, according to the spokesman.
Police believe the gang has been targeting some of the region's most prestigious properties since June, stealing to order.
Some of the men detained are well known to the authorities according to the police.
The properties targeted by the thieves have not been disclosed. Producers are extremely sensitive about the security of their stocks and about any lapse which would offer an opportunity for the production of counterfeit bottles.
Prices of the most prized Bordeaux wines from good recent vintages can easily exceed 1,000 euros a bottle, while older and rarer bottles can be worth much more.
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