CUSTOMS officers seized almost 3,000 litres of illicit booze after searching four shops in Colchester.

The raids were part of an HM Revenue and Customs clampdown on illegal alcohol sales in Essex.

Officials visited four shops – three in the town and one was just outside, although the offending traders have not been named.

During the raids, customs officers found and seized 2,295 litres of alcohol on which no duty had been paid to the Government. This included Italian-labelled wine, some well-known brands of beer and bottles of counterfeit whiskey and vodka.

If the drink had been sold as legitimate booze, officials estimate the Government would have missed out about £7,500 in duty on the sales.

All four shop owners will now be subject to further inquiries by customs officials.

The maximum penalty for evasion of excise duty is seven years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Maddy Ratnett, Customs spokesman, said: “The small minority who flout the law by selling illegal alcohol is depriving honest shopkeepers of income.

“We want to work closely with local people and businesses in the fight against this crime. We would encourage anyone with information relating to illegally-imported goods to contact Customs.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Customs Hotline, on 0800 595000, or e-mail customs.confidential@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk