Man charged for smuggling vodka as Evian

A man has been accused of smuggling nearly £2 million worth of vodka disguised as Evian mineral water and vinegar into the UK.

A Northern Irish haulier has been accused of smuggling £2m worth of vodka disguised as Evian water into the UK

As reported in the Belfast Telegraph, Kieran Hughes, 55, a haulier from Northern Ireland, is facing 15 charges for allegedly importing spirits across the English Channel illegally.

He is currently standing trial at Maidstone Crown Court with seven lorry drivers caught with the quantities of alcohol at Dover Eastern Docks in 2011 and 2012.

The prosecution has alleged that Hughes created three fake companies in order to mask his illegal activities, providing documents to customs that claimed his sealed trucks carried Evian mineral water, vinegar or Chinese food.

Kevin Dent, prosecuting, told the court: “There are huge profits to be made from smuggling alcohol. Some of the lorry loads were worth over £100,000 each.

“The drivers needed cover stories to hide the fact they were carrying alcohol.

“It is clear it was being organised from one source. It appeared it was being organised by Kieran Hughes who owned a transport company based in Armagh.”

The court also heard that drivers would travel from Essex to Calais, France, to pick up a sealed load.

Hughes was arrested after the UK Border Agency discovered many of his documents were the same.