Two held after poison vodka find at Alcester

[dutchman]

About 7,000 litres of poisonous alcohol have been seized from an industrial unit in south Warwickshire.



The bottles of denatured vodka, which were branded as “Arctic Ice” were found at a unit in Alcester by officers from HM Revenue and Customs.

Yesterday two men from Worcestershire were arrested in dawn raids in relation to the find on suspicion of supplying industrial alcohol and equipment used to produce counterfeit spirits.

The arrests are believed to be linked to a similar HMRC raid in July last year where three Birmingham men were arrested and 12,000 litres of counterfeit vodka was seized.

Officers also found glass bottles, a labelling machine and other items relating to the production of illegal alcohol.

Investigations are now ongoing as to how much counterfeit vodka has been produced and may be in the public domain.

Adrian Farley, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: “This shows our determination to unravel the gangs behind this form of criminality.

“Counterfeit vodka poses potential serious health risks to the public.”

Denatured alcohol is undrinkable and is used most often as an antiseptic or fuel for spirit burners or camping stoves.