Two shops in Brent caught selling fake booze which could kill drinkers are both run by the same man, the Times can reveal.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Alric Food & Wine in Harlesden (Pic credit: Google streetview)Alric Food & Wine in Harlesden (Pic credit: Google streetview) (Image: Archant)

Thiyagarajah Thuvarakeswaran has been named in council documents as the licensee of Alric Food & Wine in Alric Avenue, Harlesden, and Rains Newsagents in Mordaunt Road, Stonebridge, which both had their licences suspended following the discovery last week.

Counterfeit alcohol, non duty paid booze and cigarettes were found by officers from Brent Police, trading standards and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) during a routine visit to both stores.

Around 2,500 litres of beer, 250 litres of spirits, 189 litres of wine and cigarettes were seized at Alric Food & Wine, and a further 7,697 litres of beer and 75 litres of spirits from Rains Newsagents.

Counterfeit alcohol is produced in unlicensed distilleries or people’s homes cheaply and sold cut price to unsuspecting shoppers.

While properly produced and certified alcoholic drinks are made with ethanol, alcohol that’s safe to drink in moderation, fake booze can be produced using other cheaper types which can cause serious health issues ranging from nausea to death.

PC Sam Lewis-Evans, Brent Police’s licensing officer said: “Brent police licensing and its partners will work actively to remove dangerous products from the borough.”

Related link: Suspected fake booze that could kill found for sale in Brent