IHA learns of police seizure of 29 tons of counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul

In the course of searches, Istanbul police seized 29 tons of counterfeit alcohol, from which poisoning dozens of people died in the city. This was reported by IHA news agency on January 16, citing sources in law enforcement agencies.

"Since the beginning of the year, 29 tons of counterfeit alcohol have been seized, and 64 enterprises have had their licenses revoked and closed," the publication said.

In addition, the publication said law enforcement agencies conducted operations in eight districts of Istanbul, during which 15 people were detained, four of whom were arrested on suspicion of "premeditated murder."

According to the latest data from TRT Haber TV channel, 33 people have died as a result of fake alcohol poisoning since the beginning of the week. A total of 88 people went to hospitals with symptoms of poisoning. It is noted that 29 out of 48 hospitalized patients are connected to ventilators.

The mass poisoning with counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul became known on January 14. The next day it was reported about 23 dead, a total of 66 cases of alcohol poisoning were recorded. Six people were detained in the case of selling counterfeit.

Before that, in December 2024, police seized more than 28 tons of counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul, the market value of which is about 15 million Turkish liras (more than 43.5 million rubles), as well as more than 15 thousand counterfeit parcels.