Shock find in booze stash seized from Love Machine nightclub
Vodka seized from the notorious Love Machine nightclub may be a moonshine-type substance, police suspect.
Police & Courts
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A prominent Melbourne nightclub became the subject of a police investigation after multiple patrons were hospitalised after consuming drinks at the hotspot.
Police seized a large stockpile of vodka from the exclusive Love Machine club in Prahran last month after executing a warrant on the venue.
Detectives are now undertaking a complex investigation to probe whether the spirit they confiscated was the product being promoted or if it was an inferior quality drink.
One line of inquiry will be if the liquid was a moonshine-type substance.
The Herald Sun understands police became aware of the issue after a number of patrons required medical treatment in hospital after drinking vodka at the venue.
The warrant was executed by members of the police divisional licensing unit on April 22.
Victoria Police said it could not go into detail but that the activity was part of an “ongoing investigation”.
“As this investigation remains ongoing, there is no further information to be made public at this time,” a statement said.
Love Machine, which is on Malvern Rd, has made plenty of headlines in recent years.
In 2019, security guard Aaron Osmani and patron Richard Arow were shot dead in a drive-by shooting.
The club was last year reportedly fined $10,000 for breaching a directive of chief health officer Brett Sutton.
The club operates 9pm-5am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Laura Bajurny from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation said it was “a worry” to learn this may have taken place.
“I have heard of it happening overseas, the concern would be if you thought you ordered a drink with 30 per cent alcohol and you were getting something stronger, that is quite alarming,” Ms Bajurny said.
“There are all sorts of health hazards with alcohol that hasn’t been produced to quality standards. If that’s going on, it is a worry.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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