Action involves 150 civil police officers and carries out 20 search and seizure warrants in different municipalities; investigations indicate the involvement of one of the largest suppliers of these counterfeit products in the country
This Tuesday (14), the State launched the “Poison Studies” operation — which in free translation means “source of poison” — to combat the production and sale of drinks adulterated with methanol, a highly toxic substance that has already caused cases of poisoning in the state. The action takes place simultaneously in the capital of São Paulo and the remainder in Santo André, Poá, São José dos Campos, Santos, Guarujá, Presidente Prudente and Araraquara, mobilizing around 150 civil police officers. In total, 20 search and seizure warrants were executed at addresses linked to those suspected of involvement in the scheme.
According to delegate Leslie Caran Petrus, responsible for coordinating the operation, the investigations began around 10 days ago, following an incident that resulted in the arrest of one of the largest suppliers of counterfeit drinks in Brazil. “He sold bottles with labels, caps and seals that were practically impossible to identify as fake,” he said.
Based on this incident, the police identified the buyers of the adulterated product and began monitoring the distribution points, which led to this Tuesday’s operation (14). Among the items sought by agents are products, machinery, inputs, cell phones, documents and other objects that can help prove illicit activities and identify those involved.
The investigations are being carried out under judicial secrecy, and the results of the operation will be released throughout the day.
To reinforce measures to combat methanol contamination, the government of São Paulo established on September 30 a crisis cabinet, made up of the departments of Health, Public Security, Finance, Justice and Economic Development, in addition to Communication and Municipal Health Surveillance. Among the actions coordinated by the task force are the precautionary closure of establishments suspected of selling adulterated drinks and the collection of bottles for examination.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
