37 dead from fake alcohol poisoning in Istanbul since Nov. 1: Governor’s Office

Istanbul Governor’s Office announced that 37 individuals have died from fake alcohol poisoning since Nov. 1.

#İstanbul’da sahte alkollü içki denetimleri aralıksız sürüyor. ❌

2024 yılında İstanbul Emniyet Müdürlüğü Kaçakçılık Suçlarıyla Mücadele Şube Müdürlüğümüzce yapılan sahte alkollü içki denetimleri kapsamında;

✅ 1.002 işyerinde denetim gerçekleştirilmiş,

✅ 287.758 litre… pic.twitter.com/AqAkCmomDg

— TC İstanbul Valiliği (@TC_istanbul) December 16, 2024

Additionally, 17 individuals are still receiving treatment, while 23 others have been discharged after recovery.

Extensive inspections conducted across Istanbul

In a statement, the Governor’s Office detailed the efforts of the Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Smuggling Crimes Division. In 2024 alone:

• 1,002 businesses were inspected.
• Authorities seized:
  • 287,758 liters of alcoholic liquid
  • 14,701 bottles of filled alcoholic beverages
  • 853,460 counterfeit labels and seals
  • Various other products used in the production and distribution of fake alcohol.
• A total of 32 businesses were fined ₺2.66 million ($76,100) in administrative penalties.

Arrests and legal actions taken against fake alcohol

Police arrested 36 suspects connected to the supply of fake alcohol. Of these:

• 14 suspects were formally detained.
• Judicial control measures were applied to eight suspects who were released.