Turkey’s Bootleg Alcohol Crisis: Over 100 Dead as Poisonings Surge

In Istanbul, 70 people have died from toxic alcohol consumption since January 14, while 33 fatalities have been recorded in Ankara since the beginning of the year, according to Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin. The crisis has also hospitalized 230 people, with at least 40 individuals in critical condition, raising alarm over the rising dangers of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

Rising Prices Drive Consumers to Dangerous Alternatives

Turkey has witnessed an explosive rise in alcohol prices in recent years, largely due to heavy taxes imposed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling AK Party.

• The latest tax hike on alcohol and tobacco, implemented on January 3, 2025, further escalated costs.
• With legal alcohol becoming increasingly unaffordable, some consumers, bars, and restaurants have turned to bootleg and homemade alternatives, fueling a rise in methanol poisoning cases.

Government Crackdown on Illicit Alcohol Trade

Authorities have intensified efforts to combat bootleg sales, launching a wave of arrests and enforcement actions:

• Istanbul Governor’s Office has introduced mandatory surveillance cameras at alcohol-selling shops and increased licensing inspections.
• In Ankara, authorities have seized 102 tons of methanol and ethanol, while in Istanbul, over 86,000 liters of illicit alcohol were confiscated.
• Police have arrested 13 suspects in Ankara and 11 in Istanbul, in connection with the production and distribution of counterfeit alcohol.

With the crisis escalating, Turkish officials are urging the public to avoid unregulated alcohol purchases and report any suspicious sales. However, without addressing the economic factors driving the demand for bootleg liquor, experts warn that the cycle of poisonings may continue.