Warning over fake booze on sale in Warwickshire

By IH 13/12 Updated: 14/12 07:40

Buy photos » Warwickshire Trading Standards Officer Simon Cripwell with some of the fake vodka seized in the raids. (s)

FAKE alcohol is openly being sold in Warwickshire off licences.

A blitz on fake and illicit booze on sale found problems with one in five of retailers visited at random across the county by trading standards.

Officers visited 34 off-licence premises, including in Kenilworth, as part of a pre-Christmas crackdown, to seize counterfeit and non-duty paid alcohol.

In total 175 bottles were confiscated from seven off-licences in the county. While some of the bottles were believed to be fake, many were suspected to be duty evaded - those that should have been exported but are sold in the UK with fake labels to give the false impression duty has been paid on them. Brands seized included High Commissioner scotch whisky, Danoff vodka, Glens vodka and Checkov vodka.

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Community Protection said: "Fake alcohol has the potential to be very harmful and businesses selling these illegal products put the health of consumers at risk.

"Criminal gangs risk their own lives by running illegal distilleries and the public could end up purchasing full priced bottles that contain industrial solvents.

“We will continue to crack down on the trade in illegal alcohol that also puts the livelihoods of genuine traders at risk.”

Further investigations are being carried out and Warwickshire Trading Standards are working with both the brand holders and Customs & Excise. Prosecutions may follow.

Anyone who think they may have bought counterfeit or illicit spirits should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.