ESSEX POLICE•GETTY The fake Russian Empire vodka found for sale laced with chemicals

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Bootleg booze being sold as Russian Empire have been found to contain chloroform, a dangerous chemical which knocks people unconscious. The colourless, sweet-smelling liquid has been used in murders, sexual assaults and robberies. Eagle-eyed shoppers alerted police in Colchester who was concerned dodgy booze was being peddled in the town. Officers found bottles labelled as the well-known brand which normally sells for £27, being offered for £12.

They seized the 14 bottles on display but it is not known how many more have made it into the hands of drinkers. Deadly vodka laced with antifreeze was found on sale in Manchester earlier this month, with officers found 130,000 litres of the fake alcohol.

ESSEX POLICE It is not known how many bottles of the vodka have made it into the hands of unsuspecting drinkers

This is the first time this potentially dangerous mixture of vodka and other chemicals has been found Insp Sam Jarvis