Login IconLogin / Member Area / Consumer Helpline delivered by Citizens Advice 0808 223 1133

1 Sylvan Court Sylvan Way SS15 6TH Basildon, Essex, UK

Illegal vodka distillery discovered


HMRC officers have dismantled a factory manufacturing counterfeit vodka

Richard Young

Posted 20 February 2023 | JoTS Online


Content Tags:  Updates|Food and Drink|West Midlands


UPDATES: HMRC officers, supported by Staffordshire Trading Standards, have dismantled a counterfeit vodka factory near Lichfield capable of producing 150 bottles an hour. The seizure exposed suspected fake Krackoff vodka, large storage tanks and an operation estimated to be evading £2.5m in excise duty each year.

Officers from HMRC have dismantled an in illegal alcohol factory which was discovered producing counterfeit vodka and are investigating the matter with support from Staffordshire Trading Standards.

The factory at a commercial premises near Lichfield in Staffordshire had the capacity to produce up to 150 bottles of vodka per hour, evading an estimated £2.5m in excise duty per year.

CTSI Member-Only Content


This content can only be accessed by logged-in members of CTSI.

Already a member? Please enter your details below. If your login is successful, the page will automatically refresh and the full content will be visible.

Why join CTSI?

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is the representative body for UK Trading Standards and Regulatory Compliance professionals - and one of the largest, oldest (est. 1881) and most respected consumer protection organisations in the world.

As a non-profit campaigning organisation (see our Latest Campaigns), our strength, our voice and our ability to influence government, industry and the media, and shape public opinion comes directly from our membership, who are organised in an active network of branches, regions and special interest groups around the country. We are stronger together.


Interested in becoming a Member of CTSI?

Read about our various Membership Options - from Full Membership (qualified Trading Standards professionals) to Associate Membership (consumer protection supporters). 

Join CTSI 

Return to JoTS Online Articles

© 2026 Chartered Trading Standards Institute. All rights reserved.

1 Sylvan Court Sylvan Way, Southfields Business Park, Basildon, Essex, SS15 6TH.
Company no. RC000879

Investors in People and Customer excellence award logos

Website by: