A JOINT operation involving Lancashire Trading Standards and Customs officials has resulted in the seizure of more than 100 bottles of potentially lethal fake vodka.

A total of 109 bottles of counterfeit Glen’s Vodka were found at a retail premise in the Nelson area as part of an operation sparked by complaints from local people regarding counterfeit cigarettes. Officers came across seven bottles of vodka on display at the shop.

Three of the bottles on display were found to be genuine, but a check in the store room of the premise revealed 17 further cases of the counterfeit vodka, a total of 109 bottles.

Samples of the vodka are currently being analysed. Previous seizures in Lancashire of counterfeit vodka, but not this particular brand, have been found to contain illegal additives including excessive levels of methanol, an ingredient which can cause blindness or even death.

Although at this stage officers are unsure of the origin of the fake vodka, similar operations in 2007 revealed counterfeit vodka was being produced in this country.

Customs officers seized non duty paid cigarettes and tobacco from two premises during the operation. On this occasion no counterfeit tobacco products were found although recent fake cigarette seizures show that the availability of counterfeit tobacco is a problem throughout Lancashire.

Counterfeit cigarettes may contain more dangerous chemicals and less efficient filters than the real ones.

Chief Trading Standards Officer Jim Potts said: “Trading Standards have recently been given more powers to tackle counterfeits and bootleg gear in the fight to maintain a safe trading environment.

“For those businesses who do abide by the law it is a real concern to see that other traders making money by offering shoddy products and avoiding the usual taxes levied on honest businesses.

“Counterfeit goods have a real detrimental effect on the local economy, but not only that, the illegal manufacture of fake goods is not subject to the same rigorous safety standards that are applied to genuine product and as such they can pose a significant risk to the public. We would urge retailers and all those involved in the distribution chain to deal only with reputable suppliers and alert the authorities if they suspect they are being offered counterfeit goods.”

Trading Standards are warning consumers to be careful and if they suspect that goods being supplied may be counterfeit, to contact them via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.