'Alcohol and cash seized in raids'
Large quantities of alcohol and £100,000 cash have been seized by Customs officers in raids on a suspected multi-million-pound smuggling and money-laundering fraud. Nine men and one woman were arrested following raids in London, Essex and Dorset on Thursday morning. An HMRC spokesman said arrests were made as part of an investigation into alcohol diversion fraud which involves bonded alcohol products being diverted for sale on the UK market, avoiding excise duty - Press Association
The Campaign for Real Ale claimed that up to 7,500 pubs could close by the end of 2012. It blamed above-inflation duty increases as well as the economic downturn for the struggle landlords were facing, after already having had to cope with the smoking ban - which drove away many regular drinkers - The Telegraph
Welsh police officers are busy dealing with alcohol-fuelled crime and domestic violence rather than attending emergency call-outs, the chief constable of Wales' largest police force said yesterday. South Wales Chief Constable Barbara Wilding was speaking at the official launch of a new campaign by the nation's senior churchmen and police officers to stop people overindulging in alcohol - Wales Online
Michael Turner, chairman of brewer Fuller, Smith & Turner today praised a "Dunkirk spirit" among his staff which has kept the company in good cheer. Fuller's profits fell six per cent to £12m for the six months to the end of September - The Evening Standard
Barmy bathers wine-down in the pool . . . after it was filled with expensive Beaujolais Nouveau. Guests were invited to splash around in the red vino yesterday to celebrate the release of this year's vintage. And "pool bar" took on a new meaning as they sipped glasses of the famous French tipple while soaking in gallons more. Wine producers organised the event, at Hakone Yunessun spa near Tokyo, in a bid to boost flagging sales - The Sun
Binge drinkers in Hertfordshire are being offered the chance to reduce their fines in exchange for a stint on an alcohol re-education course. Police say it has helped contribute to a dramatic fall in alcohol-related disorder - BBC News
