WWJ -- The Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association is asking the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to crack down on what they call "bad actors," after a report shows nearly 130,000 bottles of wine were illegally shipped into Michigan during the 4th quarter of 2018.
It's legal to purchase wine and liquor on the internet and have it shipped, but some out-of-state retailers are skirting the laws, according to the MB&WWA.
The association says at least 500,000 bottles of alcohol were illegally shipped to the state last year, with nearly 130,000 bottles of wine in the fourth quarter alone, which covers October through December.
The association says this robs Michigan of much-needed tax revenue and robs "mom and pop retailers," too.
"Wine illegally shipped into Michigan by out-of-state retailers robs our state of much-needed tax revenue at a time when Michigan needs every penny it can get," MB&WWA president Spencer Nevins said in a press release. "Illegal wine shipments also take money away from mom-and-pop retailers who invest in their communities and are proud to call Michigan home."
Nevins is urging the MLCC to do something about it.
"I find it deeply troubling that out-of-state retailers continue to skirt state law by shipping at least 300,000 bottles of wine illegally into the state during 2018. More troubling is the fact that number is likely much higher because it excludes data from the 1st and 3rd quarters of 2018," Nevins said. "We urge the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to continue tracking these bad actors and for the state to crack down on out-of-state retailers who illegally ship wine into our state."
