Pernod Ricard Orders Internal Probe After Rajasthan Warehouse Raid

Pernod Ricard has launched an internal inquiry in India after local authorities raided one of its marketing warehouses in Rajasthan, alleging misuse of Ballantine’s whisky labels. Officials said labels of the premium brand were found affixed to bottles containing cheaper local liquor at a warehouse in Bhilwara. The French spirits group said it is cooperating fully with authorities and is confident the matter will be clarified.

According to state officials, the raid was triggered by an anonymous tip-off, leading to the arrest of a warehouse employee, who has since been released on bail. Investigators also recovered a large number of loose Ballantine’s labels during the operation. A state investigation officer said labels cannot legally be issued separately to employees and added that Rajasthan authorities plan to seek further details from Pernod Ricard to aid the ongoing probe.

The incident adds to Pernod Ricard’s regulatory challenges in India, where the company is already facing antitrust cases and scrutiny over alleged violations of liquor regulations, which it denies. In 2024, Reuters reported that Pernod Ricard had dismissed several mid-level employees in Rajasthan following an internal investigation into alleged financial irregularities, underscoring continued compliance pressures in one of its key markets.

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