Turkey: Bootleg Alcohol Deaths Hit 19 in Istanbul
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Synopsis
The death toll from bootleg alcohol in Istanbul, Turkey has escalated to 19, with authorities shutting down 63 businesses involved in the illicit trade. The situation has prompted a crackdown on counterfeit alcohol producers, highlighting the dangers of illegal beverages.
Key Takeaways
- Death toll from bootleg alcohol reaches 19.
- 63 businesses shut down for selling illicit alcohol.
- 43 individuals remain hospitalized.
- Authorities seized 50,105 liters of counterfeit alcohol.
- Nationwide operations led to the arrest of 46 suspects.
Istanbul, Jan 15 (NationPress) The number of fatalities linked to bootleg alcohol in Turkey's Istanbul has surged to 19 over a span of two days, increasing from 11 previously, with 43 individuals currently hospitalized as of Wednesday, as reported by Turkish broadcaster NTV.
A total of 65 people have sought medical assistance for suspected alcohol poisoning, NTV further noted.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul announced on the social media platform X that authorities have closed down 63 establishments suspected of peddling illicit alcohol, revoking their licenses. Gul emphasized that officials are actively working to identify and bring to justice those accountable for the deaths.
The Istanbul governor's office disclosed that 48 individuals succumbed to alcohol poisoning in 2024. In light of these incidents, the city has vowed to adopt more stringent measures against the sale and consumption of illegal or counterfeit alcoholic beverages, according to Xinhua news agency.
On January 9, a total of 46 suspects were apprehended in nationwide operations throughout Turkey targeting counterfeit alcohol manufacturers, stated Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
The operation, named 'Hook-16', was executed by gendarmerie teams who raided four illegal alcohol production facilities involved in smuggling and the production of fake alcoholic drinks, Yerlikaya noted on social media without disclosing the specific timing of the operation.
Authorities confiscated a total of 50,105 liters of counterfeit and ethyl alcohol, along with 4,000 counterfeit tax stamps during these operations, he added.
The high cost of legitimate alcoholic beverages has allowed bootleg alcohol to flourish in Turkey, giving rise to criminal organizations profiting from the smuggling of illegal drinks. These illicit producers often resort to cheaper and more hazardous substances, contributing to the increasing death toll linked to counterfeit alcohol consumption in recent years.
Last month, the Istanbul Governor's Office reported that since early November, 37 people had perished from poisoning due to counterfeit alcohol consumption in the city.
"In the investigations related to alcohol poisoning incidents, proceedings were initiated against 36 suspects who had supplied counterfeit alcohol," the office indicated, adding that 14 of those suspects had been arrested.
The Anti-Smuggling and Organised Crime Branch of the Istanbul Police Department has been intensifying efforts against the production and sale of counterfeit alcohol. The police have seized significant quantities of fake alcoholic beverages, alongside banderoles, labels, and other materials employed in the production of counterfeit alcohol.
Consequently, over two dozen businesses have faced fines for their involvement in the illegal production and distribution of these counterfeit products.
