Five men who
masterminded a major counterfeit vodka manufacturing and bottling
plant in Leicestershire, have today been sentenced to a total of
17 years and ten months. A sixth man will be sentenced on 5
December 2011.
The plot was uncovered in an unregulated and fire hazardous
industrial unit by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) when they
carried out raids in September 2009. They seized nine thousand
bottles of fake vodka, branded as Glen’s, manufacturing equipment,
bottles and counterfeit packaging – labels and cardboard boxes, at
the remote industrial unit at Moscow Farm near Great Dalby,
Leicestershire.
The court heard there was a complete lack of any fire safety
measures in the unit posing a serious and life threatening hazard.
The alcohol vapour alone could have triggered a major explosion if
the lights had been switched on or a naked flame or cigarette had
been lit.
Simon De Kayne, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for
HMRC, said:
“This was a substantial production, bottling and distribution
plant with the infrastructure to distribute large quantities of
counterfeit Glen’s vodka throughout the country. But it was set up
without any thought for the safety of those working there or in
the area nearby.
“The gang were fully aware the counterfeit vodka they
manufactured contained highly dangerous chemicals making it unfit
for human consumption, but were interested only in making a profit
at the expense of British taxpayers. The revenue loss to the
Exchequer on this haul alone was £1.5 million.”
Upon sentencing His Honour Judge J Sampson said:
“This was
fraud on an industrial scale. You set out to make as many bottles
as humanly possible. If not discovered it would have gone on and
the duty loss would have been unquantifiable.”
He added that there were five areas of concern: “The high loss to
the taxpayer; the duping of the public; the danger to the public,
particularly as bleach was added; the undermining of the genuine
brand and danger to the workforce in the factory.”
He also asked for “the team and the investigators to be commended
for all the hard work and hours of toil that went into this case.”
The bottles of vodka seized featured professionally printed
labels, duty stamps and bottle tops – all of which were
counterfeit. Analysis of a sample bottle showed raised levels of
methanol. In high quantities methanol can pose health risks.
In addition over 25,000 litres of pure denatured alcohol
(methylated spirits) was seized, enough to make around 100,000
bottles of vodka. Denatured alcohol is used as a solvent and
contains hundreds of additives. It is coloured purple to
distinguish it from drinkable alcohol and is not fit for human
consumption. Bleach was used by the gang to remove the colouring
to make it clear before diluting to the required strength.
Evidence showed that at least a further 165,000 bottles of fake
vodka were manufactured at Moscow Farm during 2008 and 2009. They
had been distributed to independent stores across the UK. HMRC
officers had seized the same illicit vodka from shops in Salford,
London and South Wales. Forensic analysis showed it was a positive
match for the vodka seized at Moscow Farm.
Notes for editors
1. Photographs of the defendants are available on request - or
can be viewed here:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=422242&NewsAreaID=2&ClientID=257
as well as moving footage and stills of the site, goods seized,
aerial surveillance and a pictorial diagram of the organised crime
gang and their roles. Summaries of expert witness statements on
the fire and health hazards are also available.
2 All defendants were charged with Conspiracy to Cheat the Revenue.
3. Details of those sentenced today, 25 November 2011, at Hull
Crown Court include:
• Kevin Eddishaw, (DOB 28.12.57), of 1 Handford Court, Southwell,
Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty* and was sentenced to seven years
in prison.
Eddishaw was the principal gang member who
masterminded the plot.
*He pleaded guilty after the jury had
been sworn in. The Judge directed the jury to find Eddishaw guilty.
• John Mark Humphreys, (DOB 23.08.65), of 1 Main Street, Upton,
Newark, Nottinghamshire, was found guilty and was sentenced to
seven years in prison.
Humphreys was Eddishaw’s right hand man
and lieutenant in the plot.
• James Fyfe, (DOB 21.05.60), of 4 Furlong Avenue, Arnold,
Nottingham, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to sixteen months in
prison.
Fyfe was the site foreman of Moscow Farm.
• Mark Timothy Gyles, (DOB 03.03.63), of 127 Belleville Drive,
Nottingham, was found guilty and was sentenced to 12 months
suspended for twelve months. He must also carry out 300 hours of
unpaid work.
Gyles was one of the drivers transporting the goods.
• Michael James Matthews, (DOB 11.11.55), of 27 Stanley Grove,
Weston Super Mare, Somerset, was found guilty and was sentenced to
18 months in prison.
Matthews was a printer who procured
supplies of counterfeit labels and boxes.
5. Organised crime has a detrimental and harmful effect on all
communities. HMRC are determined to disrupt and dismantle the
illegal supply of alcohol in the UK. Anyone with information
relating to this type of crime should contact the Customs Hotline
on 0800 59 5000 and help us to stamp it out.
6. Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk.
NAT 94/11
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office Press
enquiries only please contact:
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