Fake alcohol in UK soars fivefold in five years

The amount of counterfeit alcohol seized by UK authorities has increased fivefold in the past five years due to the prevalence of international criminal gangs, according to recent figures.

Seizures of counterfeit alcohol in the UK has increase fivefold since 2009

According to The Guardian, counterfeit alcohol now accounts for 73% of all investigations by UK trading standards authorities, compared to 51% between 2009 and 2010.

In 2012, a study by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) estimated that counterfeit alcohol is costing the UK Treasury £1.2 billion every year.

Counterfeit spirits are often made using dangerous cheap alternatives to ethanol such as industrial solvents that can lead to blindness or even death.

This information, collated by the UK trading standards authorities, will be presented today at an intellectual property summit in London.

The event will be attended by 300 representatives from 30 different countries and also aims to raise awareness of the international criminal networks fuelling the counterfeit alcohol market.

It was revealed last month that a multi-million euro moonshine operation run by members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) for the past two decades has been uncovered by customs in Ireland.

Meanwhile, folllowing various sting operations across the UK, The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has warned independent retailers to be cautious of being sold illicit alcohol or face losing both their stock and alcohol licence.