Customs unearth illegal distilled vodka plant

The alcohol was being manufactured at the premises in Hackney without approval or any payment of excise duty.

HM Revenue and Customs officers found a large sophisticated bottling plant, equipment and bottling labels at the premises.

Four men have been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

Clive Cottrell, senior investigation officer for HMRC, said: “We are reminding people not to buy alcohol from any unlicensed source or location or at what seem like bargain prices, as it is likely to be illicit and spirits could be counterfeit and harmful, even lethal.”