It seemed like a routine transport of soft drinks: 48,000 cans of Pepsi cola.
But when customs officials in Saudi Arabia looked more closely at the shipment, they found beer instead.
The officials tore off the Pepsi labels on the cans. Underneath were Heineken beer labels.
Saudi Customs' officer cuts open Pepsi labels from cans and finds they are actually beer.
The reason for the trickery is clear. Alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi customs agents made the discovery Thursday near the border with the United Arab Emirates.
There is no information about what happened to the driver of the truckload of “fake soda.”
I'm Caty Weaver.
Bruce Alpert adapted this story for VOA earning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.
______________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
routine – adj. a regular way of doing things in a particular order
label – n. piece of paper, cloth, or similar material that is attached to something to identify or describe it
trickery – n. the use of tricks to deceive or cheat someone
fake – adj. meant to look real or genuine but not real or genuine
We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on 51VOA.COM.