Warning over lethal fake booze

Police raid on Widnes warehouse discovered 130,000 litres of fake vodka worth an estimated £1.7m

BOGUS vodka contaminated with antifreeze has been found in Trafford, triggering an urgent warning.

Trading standards officers and Greater Manchester Police have had reports of potentially lethal booze being sold.

They are urging anyone who has seen or bought bottles with the ‘Number 1 Imperial Vodka Blue’ label not to drink it and to report it to them.

Officials say the fake vodka can cause blindness as well as other health problems. The warning comes after a raid at a warehouse in Widnes on Monday, where 130,000 litres of fake vodka was discovered at an industrial unit last week – worth an estimated £1.7m.

Counterfeit labels and bottle tops for ‘Number 1 Imperial Vodka Blue’ were seized.

The

bottles

are

not marked with any manufacturer name and address.

It is not clear how many bottles have already have been sold but there are concerns they could be on offer anywhere in the region.

Police have echoed the town hall’s warning that some bottles of the toxic vodka are being sold in the borough.

It is not yet known whether they are in distribution elsewhere in Greater Manchester.

A Trafford council spokesman said: “We have been made aware that bottles of ‘Imperial Vodka’ contaminated with antifreeze and are in circulation in Trafford.

“If you have bought this vodka, do not drink it.”

If you see these bottles in Trafford, you can report it to Trading Standards on 0161 9121377 or by emailing trading.standards@ trafford.gov.uk.

Deana Perchard, principal trading standards officer at Halton council and Trading Standards North West, said: “Fake vodka can contain high levels of methanol which can cause blindness and drinking it is a serious health risk.

“If you are offered extremely cheap vodka it will probably be illegal.

“Other signs to look out for include spelling mistakes on labels, a strange smell of varnish and bottles not filled to the same levels.”

Sandra Smith, assistant director of criminal inves-

The fake label vodka

‘If you have bought this vodka, do not drink it’

tigation at HMRC, added: “People buying the counterfeit vodka may have thought they were getting a bargain, but it has been distilled in unregulated conditions and may pose a serious health risk.”