Published on:
21
March 2013
Smuggled alcohol and tobacco products have been seized in Clackmannanshire and Stirling, following a joint operation by Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Earlier this month, Trading Standards Officers joined forces with HMRC to search for illegal alcohol and tobacco products in local convenience stores.
They were assisted by a trained sniffer dog, Dixie, who helped to search for stashes of illegal goods hidden within the premises. The searches uncovered quantities of illicit whisky and vodka.
Trading Standards officers believe that these spirits are genuine and were originally produced for the export market, with no UK duty paid on them. However, they have been smuggled back into the UK and are now being sold in local shops at the full retail price.
The spirits were seized by HMRC, and the matter will be followed up in conjunction with Trading Standards and the Councils' Licensing officers.
In an earlier operation by Trading Standards, counterfeit tobacco products were seized from a mobile retailer.
Clackmannanshire Council's Enterprise and Environment Convener, Councillor Donald Balsillie said: "These operations were carried out on the strength of intelligence received from concerned members of the public, and this has been rewarded by successful enforcement
"The sale of counterfeit and non duty paid alcohol and tobacco products is having a devastating impact on the local economy. Legitimate retailers are struggling to compete with the small minority of dishonest traders who operate within the black market.
"These dishonest traders are making large profits by selling cheap counterfeit products, or evading duty on genuine products and selling these at the full retail price to unsuspecting consumers".
Councillor Balsillie warned "Trading Standards will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies, in order to target those who attempt to sell counterfeit or smuggled products".
The smuggling of duty evaded alcohol has become big business for organised criminal gangs in the UK, with tax losses in unpaid duty as high as £1.2 billion per year. These losses deprive the public purse of much needed money to fund vital public services such as schools and hospitals, and the proceeds from alcohol and tobacco smuggling are often used to fund more serious criminal activities such as drug smuggling.
In addition, the sale of these products can put the health of the public at risk. The real problem for consumers is that they have no way of telling what these products contain. Counterfeit vodka seized in other parts of the UK in recent years has been found to include high levels of methanol, which is used to make anti-freeze. Drinking this substance can cause dizziness, breathing difficulties and even blindness. Previous examples of counterfeit tobacco have been found to contain high levels of lead and arsenic. And during 2011, five men lost their lives in Lincolnshire following an explosion at what was believed to be an illegal vodka distillery which had been set up in an industrial unit.
If anyone suspects that local shops are selling illegal goods, they can report the matter to Stirling & Clackmannanshire Trading Standards Service on 0845 277 7000, email tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.