Expert analyzes rule out the possibility of contamination by natural distillation in seized bottles that caused poisoning
The São Paulo Scientific Police (Criminal Institute) determined that the methanol found in seized bottles of spirits was intentionally added to the drinks. The conclusion was released on Wednesday (October 8, 2025), after expert analyzes ruled out the possibility of contamination by natural distillation. The tests identified high concentrations of the toxic substance in two batches of products.
“It can be stated, so far, and according to the concentrations found in two batches, that methanol was added and is therefore not a product of natural distillation”the police said in an official note.
Technical investigation has demonstrated that methanol levels in the samples are incompatible with natural distillation processes. However, the Scientific Police did not disclose how many bottles tested positive for intentional addition of the substance, nor the exact percentage found in the samples.
The Minister of (Ministry of Justice and Public Security), Ricardo Lewandowski, commented on the origin of the methanol used in the adulteration. “Everyone knows that recently we had a huge action to combat the infiltration of organized crime in the fuel sector. Many trucks and methanol tanks were abandoned after the operation. This is a hypothesis that is being studied, pursued, and nurtured by the PF“, he stated.
The secretary of the (Public Security Secretariat) of São Paulo, presented another line of investigation. “The Civil Police’s main suspicion is that, during the adulteration process, the ethanol that is being used to carry out the adulteration in clandestine productions is low quality ethanol, which is already contaminated with methanol”, declared.
SÃO PAULO LEADS IN CASES
The State concentrates most of the country’s records of methanol poisoning in beverages, with 18 confirmed cases, according to the latest bulletin released this Tuesday (7.Oct). There are still 158 being investigated. Another 38 have already been discarded. 10 deaths related to substance poisoning have already been recorded, 3 have been confirmed and another 7 are under investigation.
In the interview on Monday (Oct 6), alongside governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), Derrite stated that the government discussed how alcoholic beverages were contaminated by methanol in the State.
He listed two suspects:
- mix with ethanol – use of “low quality ethanol” in the counterfeiting of distillates, which would have already been contaminated with the substance;
- container washing – use of methanol in the packaging of adulterated drinks.
Cases of suspected poisoning increased from August onwards. At the end of September, when the issue gained prominence, Tarcísio declared that there was no evidence of a link with the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital), a faction created in the State that was associated weeks before with a mega fuel adulteration scheme.
Derrite said that the clandestine distilleries closed by the São Paulo government in the cities of Americana, Sumaré, São Bernardo do Campo and Osasco were not operated by members of the PCC.
According to the secretary, none of the 41 prisoners so far in the State are “factionated”. He said that the owners of these places may even work in a criminal association, but not along the lines of organized crime, “which has a hierarchical structure, with pre-defined functions”.
