Emerging
Jun 18, 2026 Major2
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Sichuan Police Acknowledge Missing Moutai Bottles After Three-Year Custody Dispute

Sichuan police in Yibin acknowledged a controversy over 159 bottles of Moutai seized in a 2023 cross-provincial operation, after the merchant discovered multiple bottles missing or empty during a May 2026 inspection. The police confirmed the bottles remained in original packaging and launched an internal investigation, with the case still pending court judgment.





Quick Facts
Who
He Moumou (何某) - liquor merchant
What
Search and seizure of allegedly counterfeit Moutai bottles
When
March 2022 - initial case assignment
Where
Shenyang (沈阳), Liaoning Province
- Search and seizure of allegedly counterfeit Moutai bottles
- Investigation into trademark counterfeiting sales
- Physical inspection and packaging verification
- Court hearings and legal proceedings
- Discovery of missing and opened bottles
Chinese police in Sichuan's Yibin city have issued a statement regarding a controversy over 159 bottles of Moutai liquor seized during a cross-provincial operation in 2023. On May 26, 2023, officers from Zhuang County Public Security Bureau traveled to Shenyang, Liaoning Province and searched the business premises of liquor merchant He Moumou, seizing the bottles as part of an investigation into alleged counterfeit trademark sales. Official testing found 157 of the bottles had packaging inconsistent with the manufacturer's authentic products, while two bottles could not be tested due to damaged anti-counterfeiting labels. Six bottles were retained as evidence samples, with the remaining 153 packaged and transported back to Zhuang County.
The case was formally registered as a trademark counterfeiting investigation on August 7, 2023, and has since been referred to prosecutors and taken to trial. When He and his wife, accompanied by their lawyer, inspected the seized bottles on May 20, 2026, they discovered multiple bottles missing or opened, with some reduced to empty containers. In response to public concern, Yibin Municipal Public Security Bureau launched a special investigation task force on June 18, 2026, to review the handling of the case.
The police statement confirmed that upon inspection, the bottles remained in their original confiscation packaging condition. The statement acknowledged issues with "non-standard terminology" in case documentation and committed to corrective measures, including potential disciplinary action against officers if violations are found. The case has undergone eight court hearings and remains under judicial review. During May 21 court proceedings this year, the judge rejected a defense request to conduct authenticity testing on the bottles, stating they were unrelated to the core charges against the defendant.
The incident has raised questions about police custody standards and the handling of high-value seized assets. The total value of the seized bottles reportedly exceeded 1.2 million yuan (approximately 22,000 Singapore dollars). Additionally, the merchant and relevant enterprises reached a settlement regarding compensation liability during the investigation, though the compensation funds were not transferred to police department accounts.
Why This Matters
This case highlights critical gaps in police custody protocols for high-value seized assets in China. With over 1.2 million yuan (approximately US$170,000) in seized goods unaccounted for after three years, the incident raises accountability concerns and demonstrates how evidence handling failures can undermine trademark enforcement efforts. The court's rejection of authenticity testing further complicates justice and consumer protection outcomes, making this a crucial test case for reforming asset management standards in law enforcement.
Timeline & Sources
May 26, 2023
WirePolice search He's retail premises in Shenyang and seize 159 bottles of alleged counterfeit Moutai
May 26, 2023
WireForensic examination determines 157 bottles have non-matching packaging; 2 bottles cannot be tested
May 26, 2023
WireSix bottles retained as evidence samples; 153 bottles transported to Zhuang County police custody
Aug 7, 2023
WireCase formally registered as trademark counterfeiting investigation
May 20, 2026
WireHe and wife inspect seized bottles at police facility with lawyer present; discover missing and opened bottles
May 21, 2026
WireCourt hearing; judge rejects request to conduct authenticity testing on bottles
Jun 9, 2026
WireCourt begins trial proceedings
Jun 17, 2026
WireYibin public security bureau supervisory office announces internal investigation in response to media inquiries
Jun 18, 2026
WireYibin Municipal Public Security Bureau issues official statement confirming bottle condition and committing to investigation