Thieves escaped with more than 14,000 bottles of wine when they stole a lorry from an industrial estate.
The blue Ford Iveco articulated vehicle contained thousands of pounds' worth of South African wine when it was taken from Basildon's Pipps Hill estate.
Police are warning people to look out for the stolen bottles and contact them if they are offered cheap red shiraz wine from the Shamwari range.
A spokeswoman for Basildon Police said: "The suspects escaped with a significant amount of wine in the £30,000 lorry."
The vehicle, registration R793 GTL, had a 20ft metal container with DV printed on all sides and on its roof.
If you can help the police, call them on 01268 532212.
Published Wednesday January 14, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article