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Industrial alcohol worth around €460,000 seized at illegal production plant in Co Louth

The interior of the processing plant, which was producing industrial vodka. Picture from Irish Revenue
The interior of the processing plant, which was producing industrial vodka. Picture from Irish Revenue The interior of the processing plant, which was producing industrial vodka. Picture from Irish Revenue

INDUSTRIAL alcohol worth around €460,000 has been seized at an illegal production plant in Co Louth.

The alcohol, including 4,000 litres of raw alcohol capable of producing 12,000 litres of vodka-type spirits, was removed from a farm in the border area on Wednesday evening after a large-scale plant processing industrial alcohol was uncovered.

In addition to the spirits, Revenue officers seized items relating to the production line, a forklift truck and cash of €5,000 and £1,000.

The Revenue has estimated that the potential retail value of the alcohol is €460,000 with a loss to the taxman of €300,000.

One man has been interviewed and investigations are ongoing.

Vodka is the most commonly counterfeited alcohol and often contains high quantities of methanol; which can cause breathing difficulties, liver damage or blindness; and isopropyl alcohol, a chemical solvent commonly found in nail varnish remover.