Authorities Seize 8,000 Bottles Of Illegal Kosher Wine From Montreal Synagogue

Authorities in Montreal seized 650 cases of kosher wine from a synagogue in the Côte des Neiges neighborhood of Quebec on April 28, near the end of Passover, after it was discovered that the wine had been imported illegally.

According to CTV, the wine was brought to Montreal by ship by importers who did not have the proper permits. The wine was being sold out of a store in the basement of the temple, Young Israel of Montreal. Police received a tip about the illegal shipment in early April from a neighbor.

Following the seizure of the wine by local police and the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), the only legal wine importer in Quebec, authorities arrested two men suspected of smuggling the wine from Israel.

When contacted by phone on Monday, May 2 by the Canadian Jewish News, a taped message from the synagogue stated, "We are not connected in any way with the wine store located in the building and have no information to offer in that regard."