Campaign cracks down on lethal illicit alcohol
A pre-Christmas campaign involving more than 50 countries keen to crack down on toxic fake alcohol seized more than 600 litres of counterfeit spirits and “unidentified” alcohol.
More than 50 countries involved in campaign to tackle fake alcoholOperation OPSON, organised with Interpol and Europol also closed down an illegal distillery creating illegal vodka from windscreen wash, which could leave the drinker permanently blind and even cause death.
Results from the operation – which saw UK Trading Standards working with international enforcement agencies – revealed that illicit activity in the UK has increased in the past year from just one spirits seizure in 2013/14 to 12 seizures in 2014/15.
“The UK is committed to cracking down on crime that harms proper businesses and can pose a real threat to public safety,” said Baroness Neville-Rolfe, minister for intellectual property.
“Even though we have one of the safest food industries in the world, there are still criminals who want to profit at the expense and safety of others.
“This year’s Operation OPSON results show the continued strength of the UK’s enforcement regime, led by Trading Standards and coordinated by the Intellectual Property Office, in protecting consumers and businesses.”
More than 1,800 litres of illegal wine were also seized as part of the campaign.
Earlier this month, an investigation revealed criminal gangs distilling and selling illicit liquor in London are targeting the city’s poorest people and illegal immigrants.
