Cyprus customs officers have taken more than one thousand bottles of fake vodka from four shops in the capital, Nicosia. They did this because the bottles were illegal copies of a real brand, and because they are very dangerous for people's health.
The officers searched several shops at the same time. They found 1,002 bottles in total. Some bottles were large and some were smaller. The fake vodka was pretending to be a well-known international brand. This is a problem for the real company because it damages their business.
This is not the first time this has happened. In fact, fake drinks and food are some of the most common illegal products found at European Union borders. Criminals can copy the packaging easily, so these dangerous items can appear in shops. They often sell them at very low prices to attract customers.
However, the biggest worry is public health. Fake alcohol is often made in dirty, unregulated places. It can contain dangerous chemicals like methanol, which is very poisonous. Drinking it can make people very sick, cause blindness, or even kill them. Customs officials warned that these goods contain toxic substances and are a serious risk.
The operation shows that authorities in Cyprus are working hard to stop these dangerous products. They have removed a big risk from the local market. They also advise people to be very careful. If the price of alcohol seems too good to be true, it probably is. Experts say that customs officers across Europe will continue to fight against fake goods to keep people safe.