Customs Smash Illicit Distillery
Officers from Revenue's Customs service this evening (04/12/2004) seized an illicit distillery and equipment in a shed, on a farm in Cooley, Co. Louth. The seizure included 1500 litres of pure alcohol with a potential loss of revenue amounting to €74,000. The distillery had the potential to distil alcohol with a revenue loss of approximately €3 million per annum. Two men were questioned at the scene and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Officers searched two separate premises and seized distillation equipment, printing presses, bottling & capping machinery, counterfeit labels and various brands of counterfeit vodka.
The Customs officer in charge said
'I am very pleased with the success of this operation which resulted from prolonged surveillance in the area.'
Ends 04/12/2004