Turkey's crackdown on counterfeit alcohol as deaths rise
Turkish media are reporting disturbing news. Since mid-January, in this tourist beloved country, more than one hundred people have died after consuming counterfeit alcohol. Over 200 have been hospitalised with symptoms of poisoning.
In Turkey, since mid-January, there has been a series of tragic events related to the consumption of counterfeit alcohol. According to Turkish media, the death toll has surpassed one hundred, and over 200 people have been hospitalised.
Increase in deaths in Istanbul and Ankara
Since 14th January of this year, 103 people have died in Istanbul and Ankara alone after consuming illegally produced alcoholic beverages. Turkish television NTV reported that as part of the actions against alcohol counterfeiting, tens of thousands of litres of moonshine were seized, and several dozen people were arrested.
Intensive efforts on this issue have been ongoing in Turkey for some time. Authorities of the tourist country have informed that in 2024, four times more illegal alcohol was confiscated than the previous year.
Fighting illegal alcohol production
Many claim that this increase is related to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's policy, who has declared war on alcoholism and nicotine addiction. His bold steps of imposing high taxes have led to a significant increase in the prices of high-proof drinks.
In recent days, media in Turkey reported the arrest of two more suspects in the provinces of Mugla and Konya. These actions are part of a large-scale campaign aimed at combating the illegal production of alcoholic products.
