Counterfeit alcohol crisis claims 22 lives in Istanbul
In Istanbul, 22 people have already died due to poisoning from illegally distributed alcohol. The crisis related to counterfeit liquor has been ongoing since last week. The number of victims increases every day.
Twenty-two people have already died in Istanbul due to poisoning. Several dozen others have been hospitalized with severe symptoms. The cause of deaths and health problems is, as diagnosed by doctors, the consumption of moonshine distributed on the black market.
Turkish media report that the crisis related to counterfeit alcohol has been ongoing since last week. The police are intensifying efforts against illegal alcohol producers.
The police warn against buying
The Turkish police issued a statement about extensive actions - raids, searches, and inspections. Producers and factories of illegal alcohol are being sought.
The authorities warn against buying alcohol in unlicensed stores. Nineteen people have already been detained, of which ten were arrested for producing illegal substances.
The reason for the development of the alcohol underworld in Turkey is the very high prices of alcoholic beverages. They increased significantly after the decision of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to impose high taxes on alcohol.
According to many critics, the authorities are imposing Islamic values on the country through this economic pressure. However, a side effect is the growth of the black market for alcohol.
The approaching New Year and the increasing demand for alcohol are exacerbating the problem with counterfeit liquors. RMF24 reports that every year at this time, the number of deaths from poisoned alcohol becomes a chronic problem.
