Police discover vodka worth £28,000 in Rotherham

POLICE have launched a money-laundering investigation after seizing more than 2,000 bottles of vodka in Rotherham worth £28,000.

South Yorkshire Police said the export-only bottles had their labels changed to make it appear that UK duty had been paid on them.

The bottles were discovered in a van in a garage on Sheffield Road, Tinsley. Police said the bottles would sell for £12.99 each in shops in the UK and estimated the total haul at £28,000.

Police and trading standards officers discovered a vehicle containing bottles of Glens Vodka. They had been manufactured for export, meaning that the cost would be significantly lower than the £12.99 retail price.

Police said the product is genuine, but the packaging and labels had been altered to give the appearance that UK duty had been paid on the items.

Det Sgt Jamie Henderson, who leads the Rotherham Tasking Team, said: “I would urge members of the public to be aware of the products they are buying. Sometimes products are made to look like something they are not and may pose significant risk to the public.”

If anyone has any information about this incident, or any other concerns about counterfeit or non-duty paid alcohol they are urged to call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 811 of 21 June 2013.