A shop owner found to be selling counterfeit vodka deemed 'unfit for human consumption' has been fined.
An investigation was opened into Southport store Smackus back in 2019, after Sefton Council suspected the business to be selling fake alcohol, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The drink was being bottled and labelled as Glen's vodka, with the council liaising with the shop on how to identify counterfeit bottles, found on sale in multiple locations.
District Judge Boswell found defendant Mr Wojtek Lazarz guilty of two charges, and the company, Smakus Foods Limited, guilty of one at Sefton Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Mr Lazarz was fined £1,450 and Smakus Foods Limited, £1,050, while Sefton Council received £1,000 towards its costs.
Mr Lazarz’s unhelpful approach when questioned about the counterfeit alcohol led to the council’s decision to taking legal action.
Sefton Council described the counterfeit vodka as "unfit for human consumption".
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “Selling fake alcohol that could have a serious effect on people’s health is an extremely serious matter and the Foods Standards Agency has made it a national priority of their work.
“I am, therefore, delighted that the Council’s Environmental Health and Legal Services teams have successfully carried out this investigation and prosecution as part of their work to protect local people and prevent this dangerous activity.”
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