Saudis swoop on ‘King Robert’ whisky

Saudi Arabian authorities have seized a workshop being used for the production of counterfeit alcohol that was being bottled as “King Robert II” whisky.

Photo credit: Al Riyadh

According to a report by Al Riyadh newspaper, the fake bottles were being packaged into boxes carrying English labels and being sold on the black market as imported products.

A total of 15 Indians and five Saudis are understood to have been arrested in the raid, which also uncovered a quantity of hashish.

Alcohol is banned in the country, although counterfeit production is widely reported, especially of “siddique”, which is made from fermented sugar water and generally distilled to around 90% abv.