State grabs beer, wine

State police shut down a Coeur d’Alene business and confiscated beer and wine for allegedly moving products across state lines illegally.

Castaway Cellars was closed this week pending the state’s investigation of the Sherman Avenue business. A sign on the door Friday said the business in The Resort Plaza Shops will open Monday.

State police served warrants last week on two businesses suspected of trafficking in unlawful alcohol beverages, Tim Marsano of ISP said. The businesses, with bars in Coeur d’Alene, are also affiliated with ventures in Washington.

Detectives from the Idaho State Police Alcohol Beverage Control office along with Idaho State Tax Commission, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Control Board, and Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office served the warrants July 10 on the businesses and a personal residence, Marsano said.

More than 225 cases of wine were seized from Castaway Cellars and another warrant was served at Badass Backyard Brewing, 317 Coeur d’Alene Ave., Suite C, Coeur d’Alene, where investigators seized four kegs of beer, Marsano said.

Officers seized an additional 25 cases from other businesses alleged to have purchased illegally imported wine, Marsano said.

Calls to Castaway Cellars were not returned, but a spokesperson for Badass Backyard Brewing said her startup business, located in the back room of a storefront co-operative, did not have its paperwork in order. The business was not closed, and state police are assisting owners with required credentials.

“The basis of the investigation is that beer and wine was moved across state lines without meeting all the required Idaho codes,” Marsano said.

No formal charges have been filed, Marsano said.

“It’s all under investigation right now,” he said. “No arrests have been made and no one had been convicted of any wrongdoing.”