AROUND 12,000 LITRES of ‘vodka’ type spirits have been seized in a raid on a premises and farm buildings in Co Louth yesterday evening.
Revenue officers and armed gardaí from Drogheda seized 586 litres of finished ‘vodka’ type product that was bottled, sealed, labelled and boxed, along with 4,000 litres of the raw alcohol product at a large-scale plant.
In total, there was in the region of 12,000 litres of ‘vodka’ type spirits, with an estimated retail value of €460,000.
The plant was arranged in a production line system; Revenue seized all the production line apparatus, mixing tank, and containers, along with packaging, bottle caps and labels which were all counterfeit.
A forklift truck, and cash amounts of €5,000 and £1,000 were seized.
A man was interviewed and investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.
Revenue reminded customers to only purchase alcohol from reputable sources of supply.
“Vodka is the most commonly counterfeited alcohol and often contains high quantities of methanol, a poisonous chemical that can cause breathing difficulties, liver damage or blindness; and isopropyl alcohol, a chemical solvent commonly found in nail varnish remover,” it said.
Revenue says that if businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal or counterfeit alcohol, they can contact Revenue on the free phone number 1800 295 295.
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