According to the Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS), up to 15 percent of all spirits retailed in Poland are sold illegally. What's more approximately 4 percent of illegally purchased alcohol is smuggled into the country in the first place, reported Parkiet.

Distillers lose around zł.2 billion annually as a result of counterfeit sales and smuggled liquor.

In 2010, 524,000 liters of illegal alcohol were seized by border and customs officers. Over 6,800 people were found guilty of smuggling or selling counterfeit spirits.

Counterfeit alcohol sellers find the majority of their clients in small local markets, where spirits are sold under brand names to unsuspecting customers.

Poland A.M.