THE São Paulo Public Prosecution Service (MPSP) denounced 11 men and nine women for involvement with the falsification of drinks in the state.
The group was arrested in the act on September 23, for participation in alcohol adulteration scheme. There is no proof of use of methanol.
The action took place three days before the warning issued by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security about the first nine cases of methanol contamination in the state of São Paulo.
According to the Santo André Civil Police, who conducted the operation, the investigation was about crimes of receiving alcohol that would be distributed in the city. Materials used in tampering were found, such as bottles, labels, lids and production and storage equipment. On site, the group was caught manipulating the products.
Prosecutor Felipe Ribeiro Santa Fé reported that there was “clear division of tasks, demonstrating the stability and permanence of the criminal association; and revealing the concrete gravity of conduct and the risk of criminal reiteration.”
According to the São Paulo government, Among the prisoners and reported is the main supplier of inputs for falsification of beverage of the state. In the year, 41 people have been arrested on charges of adulteration of drinks.
According to the government, arrests carried out so far have no relationship with each other and bond with organized crime.
Methanol
The São Paulo government confirmed on Monday (6) 14 cases of methanol poisoning in the state and two deaths. 178 cases are under investigation in the state with the occurrence of seven deaths.
The main lines of investigation of the São Paulo Civil Police are methanol contamination used to clean reused bottles and use of methanol to increase the volume of adulterated drinks.
The Ministry of Health announced that it received 217 Methanol poisoning notifications in the country after alcohol consumption. Of this total, 17 cases have been confirmed and 200 are under investigation.
