Vodka factory found in raid
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date published: 15 January 2009
A SUSPECTED illegal vodka distillery was discovered when police raided a cannabis farm in Oldham.
Officers found hundreds of gallons of highly flammable liquids, including ethanol and alcohol, in containers surrounding a large still at a unit off Schofield Street, Hathershaw.
They also uncovered more than 130 cannabis plants worth £60,000 during Tuesday’s drugs bust.
Officers from Oldham’s operational support unit (OSU) carried out the raid at 1pm. They also seized a large Mercedes van.
Police continued to search the premises throughout the day and were joined by a special investigation team from HM Revenue and Customs.
During the search, which continued yesterday, the power supply to the unit had to be cut off by United Utilities to make it safe.
Two men, aged 26 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis and customs offences and remain in police custody for questioning.
Det Con Dave Millwood, from Oldham OSU, said: “This is another fantastic result for the OSU.
“We have stopped thousands of pounds worth of drugs from hitting the streets and also uncovered what we believe is an illegal vodka factory.
“In the past, illegally-produced vodka has proved to be extremely hazardous and potentially lethal due to the high concentration of alcohol.
“As well as disrupting a criminal operation, from a public safety point of view we have stopped this poisonous substance from harming anyone.
“I would like to thank members of the community who helped us in uncovering this illegal enterprise and would appeal to anyone who has information about criminal activity in their neighbourhood to call us.
All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.”
If the discovery proves to be a vodka distillery it will be the second uncovered in Oldham in recent years.
In 2007, Mridyul Kanti Das (31), of Huddersfield Road, was sentenced to nine years and four months after an illegal distillery and a firearm were discovered at an industrial unit in Manchester Road, Oldham, two years before.
He was jailed for another five years in December after admitting running a drugs factory from an Ashton house.
Oldhamers have previously been warned by Trading Standards that drinking just a drop of counterfeit vodka could make them seriously ill.
Anyone with information should call Greater Manchester Police on 0161-872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.
