Effects of adulterated drinks in the Dominican Republic 3:58
(CNN Spanish) - The
Dominican Republic announced on Wednesday new measures to control the manufacture of beverages with adulterated alcohol, amid what they describe as an outbreak of intoxication from a drink contaminated with methanol that has killed 130 people so far. of year.
In addition, a decree was enacted that regulates the import and sale of methanol.
The plan to combat illegal alcoholic beverages, as detailed in a decree presented by President Luis Abinader, toughens the rules for the importation and commercialization of methanol and prevents the clandestine transfer of that substance to counterfeit beverages.
Among the provisions, the importer or distributor of methanol must have a permit from the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD).
In addition, there must be an inspection that certifies that it has strict access controls to its warehouses.
The authorities also announced the creation of two working groups.
One is for the implementation of an intelligence and traceability program in the import and commercialization chain.
The other is to intensify and coordinate operations in factories and businesses in the country.
Since February, the authorities have dismantled at least four distilleries and intervened 400 businesses in different parts of the country.
Eight were closed and 34 people have been detained.
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The Ministry of Public Health maintains an epidemiological alert since the beginning of April.
The agency asked the population to refrain from drinking illegally produced alcoholic beverages, since currently 40% of people who become intoxicated with these substances do not survive.
Adulterated alcohol