‘Can’t Be Trusted’: The Boss of a UK Whisky Brand Is Facing Charges Including Conspiracy to Commit Murder After Living Under a False Identity for 20 Years

Lucasz Ratajewski, the co-founder of Bimber Distillery in London, currently faces extradition to Poland over conspiracy murder and drug supply charges. (Photo: Press Association via AP Images)

On Monday the Daily Mail reported that Lucasz Ratajewski, the founder of the London-based spirits brand, Bimber, is facing extradition to Poland over conspiracy to murder and drug supply charges. His lawyers tried to get him released on bail, but the attempt was rejected due to him being considered a flight risk for using an alias to live a “double life” in the U.K. for 20 years, according to the outlet.

Ratajewski faced an arrest warrant two decades ago, according to the Daily Mail, but authorities were not able to track him due to the fact he operated under a pseudonym in the United Kingdom.

“His use of a false identity for over 20 years has demonstrated that he can’t be trusted,” Tom Cockroft, a representative in the Polish court of Lodz, argued. “He is a fugitive from justice because he left Poland knowing that he had to serve his sentence for the earlier offense.”

Some of the charges Ratajewski is currently faced with are conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to supply cannabis, LSD and heroin. For the conspiracy murder charges, Ratajewski is accused of supplying an AK-47 rifle to function as a murder weapon.

The Daily Mail reports that the murder was supposed to take place in 1997, but it never actually occurred.

“He said he was forced to use a false identity because he had fled Poland in fear of his life, that he was involved with very serious and violent criminals in the past and that his life was in danger,” Judge Justice Farbey said, according to the Daily Mail.

It appears Ratajewski’s new life in the U.K. served him well. In 2015, he co-founded Bimber, a craft whisky distillery known for collaborating with major brands like Compass Box. According to The Daily Mail, Bimber produces approximately 50,000 bottles a year. In June, the distillery scaled Mount Lhotse in Nepal with a bottle of its single malt for a charity that specialized in cancer research.

Ratajewski refers to himself as a “third-generation distiller,” after learning how to make moonshine from his father and grandfather according to The Daily Mail.

The “whisky boss,” as he is referred to in the media, started a second distillery in Speyside that currently employs 40 people.

Though he has been in police custody since December, his lawyers want him out on bail until May when the court will decide if he will be extradited to Poland to stand trial.

“He is a devoted father and, in respect of his business, he is an integral part,” Ratajewski’s lawyer said. “His position is irreplaceable and he employs a large number of people. It is inconceivable that after more than 20 years of hard work here he would go on the run.”

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