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Police Investigate Alcohol Adulteration in São Paulo,Downplay Organized crime Link
SÃO PAULO - Brazilian authorities are investigating a surge in adulterated alcoholic beverages in São Paulo state,wiht a focus on the possibility that low-quality ethanol,potentially mixed with methanol,was used in the contamination. While initial suspicions pointed to potential involvement from criminal factions like the PCC, federal officials are now stating it’s “premature” to draw that conclusion.
Since last week, the Military and Civil Police of São Paulo, alongside the Federal Police, have been conducting operations resulting in the seizure of 1,423 full and 824 empty bottles of distilled beverages. these items have been sent to the Technical-Scientific Police for analysis, with reports still pending.
Federal Police director Andrei Rodrigues initially raised the possibility of a connection to the PCC, noting the port of Paranaguá – a known entry point for methanol – as a potential link to a recent fuel counterfeiting scheme operated by the faction. However, Rodrigues clarified on Wednesday, “We have not ruled out any hypothesis at this time. It is indeed too premature to say whether there is a criminal association or not.” He added, “What I said is that there is a possibility of connection with the previous operation due to the fact that the port of Paranaguá is the entry point for methanol.”
São Paulo State Public Security Secretary, Derrite, has offered a contrasting assessment, stating there is currently no evidence of organized crime involvement. He reported that over 40 individuals have been arrested this year for adulterating drinks, and none have been identified as members of a criminal faction.
“It already demystifies the theory that organized crime is involved. There is no evidence, no proof of this, quite the contrary, everything indicates that there was no participation,” Derrite stated. “What remains to be seen is what the motivation was and why this happened, one line is that they acquired low quality ethanol.”
The investigation continues, focusing on the source and intent behind the adulteration, with a key line of inquiry centering on the use of substandard ethanol.
