Commercial closures intensify due to adulterated alcohol

Authorities in charge of pursuing the path of businesses selling prostitution liquor intensified harassment this weekend, closing stores and seizing hundreds of bottles used to pack packages.

The National Agency for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Proconsumitor) says six businesses in various provinces across the country have been closed for selling adulterated drinks and for the detection of pests and expired, rusty and deteriorating products.

Eddie Alcondara, managing director of ProconSmider, explained that the closed businesses are located in the municipalities of Santiago, Dajapan and Los Algarisos in the province of Santio Domingo.

The ProconSmider, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Public Administration, the National Police, the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (COBA) and the Special Fuel Control Force (SECOM) seized dozens of bottles used to package adulterated beverages over the weekend.

Similarly, the authorities decided to intervene in the municipality of Los Algiers, following a complaint from a consumer who complained about a drink consumed by a relative who led to a coma.

The Director of Proconsummer said that the government is paying all its attention to this issue which has caused many deaths in recent weeks and “the joint efforts of all the companies involved will give a better solution to alleviate this pain in a short period of time.”

“We’re going to get the results we’ve all been waiting for,” the pro-consumer managing director finally said.

Less than 2020
Between January and April 2020, the number of deaths from adulterated alcohol was higher than during the same period this year.

From January to April last year, 145 people died, while the number for this 2021 is 128, bringing the total to 17 deaths.

According to data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System, between January and April 250 in 2020, the consumption of methanol-fortified alcohol was affected, with 174 affected this year.

Methanol consumption
Consumption of alcohol-adapted methanol has caused grief to dozens of Dominican families in recent years, with authorities unable to deal with the problem effectively.

The highest number of deaths usually appear in April, the Easter holiday, where it reflects an increase in alcohol consumption.

Functional
Other findings
In actions coordinated by different companies, not only adulterated drinks, but also plagues and expired foods have been found, which have been confiscated and fined to the establishment.