Fifteen men have gone on trial in France for a wine heist valued at €1 million.
Nearly 4,000 bottles of the finest grands crus were stolen from 13 renowned chateaux in Bordeaux. Some are thought to have been stolen to order.
The men stand accused of performing a “highly organised and professional” operation to nab some of the world’s most prestigious and most expensive vintages. Prosecutors say the bottles were then sold at cut prices to individuals and restaurants.
The thefts began in June 2013 and ended nine months later in February 2014. Investigators said the thieves were very well versed in surveillance and armed robbery and that the raids took place about every two weeks, each taking just minutes.
Detectives were not forthcoming about how the gang managed to break into so many vineyards, other than saying that the gang’s modus operandi was always the same.
After their escape, the perpetrators used bleach to remove their fingerprints on the stolen getaway van which they then torched.
Investigators concluded that the gang stole 3,771 bottles and made a profit of €350,000.
The defendants include an uncle and nephew alleged to be the ringleaders, along with political studies university professor from Paris, a company boss from Biarritz and one of his employees, and two teachers from the Tarn area of southwestern France. The alleged ringleader has spent 28 years behind bars, including 15 years for jewellery heists.
For the crimes currently being heard in court, the maximum sentence is 15 years.
Two years ago gendarmes broke up another network of thieves who had stolen some 500 bottles from top houses worth €300,000.
