V
Vultan
Guest
Apr 28, 2011
Seized alcohol goes under the hammer
60 bottles out of over 2,000 at auction find new owners
By Jalelah Abu Baker
MORE than 10 people got into the spirit of bidding for alcohol - seized by the Singapore Customs - at the Amara Hotel this week.
The event, held in a function room, offered 2,596 bottles, including whisky, wine and sake, with the bidding overseen by an auctioneer with a microphone.
Brands included Johnnie Walker, Martell and Chivas Regal and there had been a viewing of the inventory on Monday .
By the end of the hour-long event on Wednesday, about 60 bottles had found new owners. Many of these items were not contested and were sold at the opening price.
The other bottles drew zero bids because they were not popular with the crowd, who also felt that some of the prices were too high.
A spokesman for the Singapore Customs said the opening, or reserve, prices depend on the nature and condition of the alcohol, which is usually put up for bidding once every two months.
These auctions, advertised in the media, are open to the public. Other items commonly auctioned by the Singapore Customs include jewellery, watches and bird's nest.
At Wednesday's alcohol-only auction, the crowd of mostly men had turned up to sniff out buys mainly for their own consumption.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
