Fake vodka laced with a dangerous chemical used to commit rapes and murders has been seized by police in Essex.
Shoppers in Colchester alerted police to bottles labelled 'Russian Empire vodka' being sold for less than hald the normal retail price.
Officers found bottles labelled as the well-known brand, which normally sells for £27, being offered for just £12.
Tests on the alcohol found it contained chloroform, a dangerous chemical that knocks people unconscious, which has been used in murders, sexual assaults and robberies.
Insp Sam Jarvis at Colchester police station said: "We were contacted by a member of the public who was concerned illicit vodka was on sale in the town.
"We are aware of fake alcohol being sold in other parts of the country but we believe this is the first time this potentially dangerous mixture of vodka and other chemicals has been found in shops in Colchester.
"We would advise people to be wary about this sort of vodka and contact us if they know where it is being sold. Fake alcohol is a serious problem and people should remember that if the low price appears too good to be true, it may be an illegal product.”
Trading Standards have joined police in the investigation.
