A woman named Olga Stepanova, 60, has been taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in the distribution of counterfeit alcohol in the Leningrad region of Russia. This incident resulted in the tragic deaths of 19 individuals who consumed the fake vodka, while another victim remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
The alleged counterfeit alcohol supply chain involves Stepanova supplying moonshine to 78-year-old Nikolai Boytsov, who then sold the illicit vodka for a low price. Both individuals have been apprehended by local law enforcement. Boytsov is also accused of causing harm to his 75-year-old wife by exposing her to the poisonous alcohol.
The illegal trade of ‘bootleg’ spirits has been on the rise in Russia, especially among elderly citizens, as the prices of legitimate alcohol have surged due to ongoing conflicts. In a related development, authorities have detained a resident of Gostisti on suspicion of peddling a liquid containing alcohol.
Reports indicate that methanol was detected in the blood of eight deceased victims, with further investigations underway to check for similar substances in other sudden deaths. Tragically, the death toll linked to the tainted vodka stands at 19, with one individual fighting for their life in intensive care.
The repercussions of consuming the fake alcohol have been devastating, as exemplified by the case of Yuri Spiridonov, 54, who succumbed shortly after declaring his impending demise to his wife. The situation escalated rapidly with multiple deaths occurring in a short span of time.
Earlier incidents in August saw a group of tourists fall victim to methanol poisoning after unknowingly consuming counterfeit alcohol at a popular resort in Sochi, Russia. This alarming trend prompted urgent warnings from the Russian Interior Ministry against consuming alcohol of unknown origin to prevent further tragedies.
In a separate case, two individuals named Olesya, 31, and Eteri, 71, faced charges in a Sochi court for their alleged involvement in distributing the fake alcohol. The authorities are urging the public to exercise caution and avoid consuming suspicious alcoholic products to ensure their safety and well-being.
