Police are appealing for information as part of an investigation into the potential theft of prestige wine collections in the Hunter Region, NSW Police say.
Dozens of wine collections, with a value of more than $5 million, were being held under agreement by Wine Investment Services Pty Ltd, until it went into receivership in 2013.
At that time, the business assets were seized; however, inquiries revealed a number of wine collections were not surrendered.
Despite numerous further inquiries by owners, liquidators and local police, the wine was not located.
In March 2016, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Fraud and Cybercrime Squad launched Strike Force Farrington to investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing collections, which they believe may have been stolen.
Following initial inquiries, strike force investigators executed a search warrant at a storage unit in Newcastle on Thursday 31 March 2016.
During the search, officers located business documentation and electronic storage devices related to various companies, which were seized for further examination.
As investigations continue, detectives are appealing for assistance from the public to locate the wine collections.
In particular, they would like to speak with anyone who may have purchased, or has been approached to purchase, collectable or vintage wines, including Penfolds Grange, varieties of Henschke, Torbreck, and Chris Ringland/Three Rivers.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stopers.
