TWO men have been arrested for allegedly profiting about 100,000 yuan (US$14,600) by producing and selling fake branded drinking water in Yangpu District, police said yesterday.

They added the suspects were caught in their den on Nanxiangyin Road. Police discovered about 60 bottles of fake franchised drinking water, bottle lids, and 2,500 fake labels.

The suspects confessed they had opened a water shop and sold the “renowned branded” water, which was actually unprofessionally filtered tap water, to residents nearby, police said.

Yangpu police started investigation after residents reported their suspicions that an illegal business was being run.

Last year police in suburban Songjiang District arrested four people for producing and selling fake branded water.