An illegal distillery in Louth which was poised to supply thousands of bottles of vodka to the Christmas market has been shut down by Customs officers, it emerged today.
The distillery, which was located in a shed on a farm in Cooley was capable of producing 150,000 litres of alcohol each year.
Customs officers had carried out surveillance on the farm for several days and moved in yesterday afternoon when two men were seen entering the shed.
They seized 1,500 litres of virtually pure alcohol along with counterfeit versions of two well known vodka brands. The officers also discovered distillation equipment, printing presses, bottling and capping machinery and counterfeit labels.
"It was very well organised and had very sophisticated equipment. They were obviously going to hit the Christmas market," said a Customs spokesman.
The two men were questioned by Customs officers and later released. It is understood that paramilitary involvement is not suspected. A file is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Customs service estimated the operation had the potential to deprive the Revenue of €3 million annually. Under the Taxes Consolidation Act, it is illegal to avoid paying VAT and excise duties on alcohol products to the Revenue Commissioners.