Franchot Announces Seizure of Contraband Alcohol in Baltimore

61 bottles of distilled spirits seized from business on 'The Block'

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that his Enforcement Bureau of the Field Enforcement Division made a significant seizure of contraband alcoholic beverages on October 11, at a Baltimore liquor licensed business with assistance from the Baltimore City Liquor Board Inspector and Baltimore City Vice Detectives.

“My Field Enforcement Division team is ever vigilant in its efforts to make sure all businesses are playing by the same rules,” Comptroller Franchot said. “I applaud their work and the assistance from the city liquor board and Baltimore police. These combined law enforcement efforts level the field for all businesses and protect Maryland’s consumers.”

On October 11, agents and inspectors from the Enforcement Bureau along with Baltimore City Liquor Board and Baltimore Police Department Vice Unit conducted an unannounced liquor inspection at Indulge Gentleman’s Club at 403 E. Baltimore St., located in an area known as “The Block.” The purpose of this routine liquor inspection was to assure compliance with state laws and regulations. The licensee is Donald Savoy of Don West Management, trading as “Indulge.”

During the inspection, 61 bottles of distilled spirits with a retail value of $1,332.85 were seized as products obtained from a supplier other than a wholesaler. In Maryland, a retailer may not purchase/keep an alcoholic beverage on the licensed premises which was purchased from other than a licensed wholesaler.

All details and evidence will be forwarded to the Baltimore City Liquor License Board located at 231 E. Baltimore St.by the Comptroller’s Enforcement Bureau to be used at the board’s discretion for administrative action and subsequent sanctions.

FED agents and inspectors conduct random routine inspections at licensed retailers of alcoholic beverages throughout the state to assure that Maryland’s alcoholic beverage laws are being followed. Liquor-licensed retailers can only be in possession of and sell alcoholic beverages that were supplied to them by a licensed Maryland wholesaler to assure that the alcohol excise tax has already been paid by the wholesaler who supplied the product to the retailer.