Police in Brazil are investigating a case of mass methanol poisoning that has led to the deaths of two individuals linked to a clandestine alcohol factory. The incident has resulted in a total of 225 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning, primarily in São Paulo, with three fatalities. Authorities have discovered an underground alcoholic beverage facility in São Bernardo do Campo, where tainted ethanol purchased from gas stations was used to produce the lethal drinks responsible for the deaths of two victims.
According to Public Security Secretary Guilherme Derrite, the ethanol used in the counterfeit beverages contained over 40% methanol mixed with ethanol, possibly sourced from the same gas station or chain of stations where the victims obtained the contaminated drinks. The production of these toxic concoctions aimed to boost profits by increasing the volume of the original beverages.
Following the exposure of the secret factory and the execution of search warrants, the building was dismantled, and materials were seized for forensic examination. The owner of the factory faces potential charges of forgery, corruption, or adulteration of food substances, with a penalty of four to eight years in prison and a fine if convicted.
The deaths of three individuals in São Paulo, including Bruna Araújo de Souza, Marcos Antônio Jorge Júnior, and Ricardo Lopes Mira, have been linked to tainted alcohol consumption. The health ministry has reported a total of 225 confirmed cases of methanol poisoning, prompting the closure of a dozen establishments and the confiscation of around 10,000 bottles of alcohol. Authorities advise the public to refrain from consuming unlabeled drinks.
The contaminated beverages mainly include gin, vodka, and whiskey, as stated by Brazil’s health minister Alexandre Padilha. The World Health Organization has urged member states to enhance surveillance and control measures to manage the circulation of tainted drinks and prevent further incidents of methanol poisoning.
In a separate incident last year in Laos, six travelers died due to suspected methanol poisoning after consuming shots laced with the toxic substance. Methanol poisoning, a severe condition caused by the ingestion of methanol, can lead to critical illness or death due to its clear, tasteless, and nearly odorless properties, making detection challenging.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning, such as visual disturbances, dizziness, and abdominal pain, can escalate to coma, nerve damage, and fatality depending on the amount ingested and the promptness of medical intervention.