Firefighters uncover illegal vodka factory

AN illegal alcohol bottling plant and 25,000 litres of counterfeit vodka have been seized by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in Manchester. 

Fire crews attending a blaze at a warehouse in Cheetham on October 28 uncovered the illicit alcohol factory. HMRC and local trading standards are now investigating an excise duty scam worth £240,000.

The alcohol, bottled and ready for sale, was seized along with bottling and labelling equipment.

Graham Forbes, HMRC Special Investigations said: “The fraudsters behind this crime have not only evaded duty and produced fake ‘UK excise duty paid’ stamps, but the vodka has been manufactured illegally, hi-jacking a well-known brand name and without any health and safety checks. It seems that alcohol was being handled and bottled at this site in very large quantities and in unhygienic conditions. 

“Tests will be carried out by HMRC to check the alcohol content, but early indications suggest the premises may have been operating for some time and selling the fake product locally which is a real concern.”