A WARNING has been issued after potentially lethal vodka made with industrial alcohol was found on sale in a North-East town.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of supplying the counterfeit spirit to an underage teenage girl in Stanley, County Durham.

Officers believe the source of the bootleg booze - on sale through an underground dial-a-drink service - could lead to organised crime gangs.

The racket was uncovered by police who found the alcohol on sale in bottles marked Glen's vodka - a genuine brand - advertised through a Facebook group, which has more than 1,300 members.

Sergeant Tim Robson, of Durham Constabulary’s alcohol harm reduction unit, said: “We have grave concerns. The bottles are marked with Glen’s vodka but we are confident it is illicit and counterfeit.

“It is polluted with industrial alcohol, which has been put into vodka bottles.

“It could cause serious internal damage to your organs.

“You have heard of blind drunk, this stuff could make you blind. It could be fatal if they are selling it to kids.”

An undercover female officer bought a litre of the spirit with a two litre cola mixer for £20 on August 21 and ten days later a 16-year-old working with police made the same purchase at Woodside Grove in Tantobie.

Two men, aged 24 and 32, from the Stanley area, were arrested on suspicion of breaching both trademark and licensing legislation after the second test purchase.

Police then seized a further four bottles of the vodka, up to 20 bottles of wine, 60 cans of lager, 48 bottles of beer and 48 cans of cider from a house in nearby South Moor.

The men, who have been bailed until October, could be facing hefty fines and imprisonment if convicted.

Police have been working on Operation Gravity with officers from Durham County Council’s trading standards department.

Inspector Colin Dobson said the vodka is likely to be manufactured on a large scale.

He said: “This is just the tip of the iceberg. The source of this will lead to links with organised crime, without a doubt, and as a force we are working to dismantle these groups.”

Police believe at least six bottles of illegal Glen’s vodka may still be in circulation in the area.

Anyone with information can call the force non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.