Alcohol still discovered in garden shed

Officials have warned of the dangers of illegal alcohol following the discovery of a home-made still in a garden shed.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) found the still in the garden of a house in King's Lynn, Norfolk, on Wednesday night.

A spokeswoman said: "Officers searching a private residence noticed a strong alcoholic smell coming from equipment in the garden shed.

"Inside they found a barrel and pipes connected to the mains water supply, with a gas burner and a quantity of flammable liquid.

"The makeshift still was capable of producing large quantities of illegal spirits."

Paul Barton, HMRC assistant director criminal investigation in East Anglia, described it as a "crude" operation.

He said: "It not only posed a danger to the houses nearby but anyone consuming the end product would have no idea what they were drinking.

"If you are offered cheap alcohol and it's at a price that looks too good to be true, it probably is."

Officers also seized 3,880 mixed brand cigarettes and a small quantity of tobacco. The revenue allegedly evaded is estimated to be £1,000.

A 34-year-old man has been arrested and bailed until February.

PA