Colombia accuses Pernod, Diageo, Seagram of illegal sales channels

PARIS (AFP) - The government of Colombia and several of the country's regional authorities have filed suit in US federal court charging drinks groups Pernod Ricard, Diageo and Seagram with selling their products through illegal chanels, Pernod said in a statement.
Pernod denied the allegations and vowed to "vigorously defend itself against the complaint."
Pernod also noted that the Columbian market accounts for less than 0.5 percent of its worldwide turnover.
"The complaint alleges that the defendants have competed unfairly with government-owned businesses in the production and distribution of liquors by selling their products into illegal channels and receiving payments from companies who deal in laundered funds," Pernod said in a statement.
It said the suit, filed in US District Court for the eastern district of New York, named Pernod Ricard S.A., Pernod Ricard USA LLC, Diageo North America Incorporated, United Distillers Manufacturing Incorporated, Diageo PLC and Seagram Export Sales Company Incorporated.

11/08/2004 - 15:45 GMT - AFP