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State authorities today raided 29 bars and restaurants across New Jersey and seized liquors and inventory records.

(Star-Ledger file photo)

TRENTON — State authorities this morning raided 29 bars and restaurants across New Jersey on suspicion that they have been re-filling empty bottles of their most expensive liquors with cheaper alcohol.



Dubbed "Operation Swill," the year-long investigation found the establishments fooled customers so they could charge higher prices and bolster their profits, according to a statement released by the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

UPDATE:

Operation Swill: N.J. officials charge 29 bars with selling cheap liquor as premium brands; bar owners respond to allegations

Authorities this morning seized various liquors and inventory records from the establishments, the statement said. The investigation began as a result of complaints, confidential informants and new technology used to test liquor covertly purchased at the establishments by detectives.

The establishments targeted were:

Applebee's, Kearny

Bell's Tavern, Lambertville

Blackthorn Restaurant, Parsippany

The Brick House, Wyckoff

Brunswick Grove, East Brunswick

Café 34, Matawan

Cucina Calandara, Fairfield

Graziano's Ristorante, Chesilhurst

Italian Affair, Glassboro

Murray's, Dover

Railroad Café, East Rutherford

Ruby Tuesday, Bridgewater

Sona Thirteen, Morristown

Sunset Tavern, Burlington

TGI Fridays, Clifton

TGI Fridays, East Hanover

TGI Fridays, East Windsor

TGI Fridays, Freehold

TGI Fridays, Hamilton

TGI Fridays, Hazlet

TGI Fridays, Linden

TGI Fridays, Marlboro

TGI Fridays, North Brunswick

TGI Fridays, Old Bridge

TGI Fridays, Piscataway

TGI Fridays, Springfield

TGI Fridays, West Orange

Villari's Lakeside, Gloucester Township

Yesterday's Marmora

State authorities said they will release more information about the operation at a news conference at 11 a.m. Thursday in Trenton.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A TGI Fridays in Wood-Ridge was originally included on the list. But authorities sent out a new list replacing it with a TGI Fridays in Hamilton.

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