Close Menu
News JournosNews Journos
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
Editors Picks

U.S. to Revoke Immigration Status for Haitian Migrants in September

June 27, 2025

Hegseth Promises to Repeal 2017 “Woke” Program Implemented by Trump

May 1, 2025

Trump Mediates Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Iran

June 23, 2025

U.S. Faces Potential Default by August Without Congressional Action on Debt Ceiling

May 9, 2025

President Trump Reports Record Low Illegal Immigrant Encounters in January

March 1, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Latest Headlines:
  • Trump’s Proposed Plan for Gaza Peace: Key Details Unveiled
  • Arizona Woman Accused of Aiding North Korean Workers to Breach US Companies
  • El Salvador Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Rape of 11-Year-Old in Virginia Beach
  • Germany Anticipates Modest Growth with Merz’s €500 Billion Overhaul Plan
  • Man Charged with Arson in Pacific Palisades Fire
  • AKP Chairman Resigns Amid Political Turmoil
  • Workplace Deaths Rise: 206 Workers Killed in September Across Construction and Agriculture
  • Israel and Hamas Agree on Hostage Release and Partial Troop Withdrawal
  • Increasing Cannabis Use Among Seniors: Reasons and Trends
  • AI-Driven Curriculum Replaces Teachers at $40,000-a-Year School
  • Dolly Parton Assures Fans She Is Not Dying After Sister’s Prayer Request
  • Domino’s Unveils First Major Redesign in 13 Years
  • Manchester Synagogue Attacker Swears Allegiance to Islamic State Prior to Assault
  • Senate Fails to Reach Agreement on Day 8 of Government Shutdown
  • Auto Industry Faces Turmoil as EU Implements New Steel Tariffs
  • FOMC Predicts Two Additional Rate Cuts by End of 2025
  • Air Traffic Control Shortages Contribute to U.S. Flight Delays, FAA Reports
  • COVID Mask Mandates Reinstated in Blue-State County Due to Increased Risk
  • Boston Pro-Palestinian Protest Escalates into Violent Riot, 13 Arrested
  • Israel Commemorates Two Years Since Hamas Attack Amid Ongoing Gaza War Reflections
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
News JournosNews Journos
Subscribe
Wednesday, October 8
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
News JournosNews Journos
You are here: News Journos » Turkey Reports » Bootleg Alcohol Deaths in Ankara Rise to 65
Bootleg Alcohol Deaths in Ankara Rise to 65

Bootleg Alcohol Deaths in Ankara Rise to 65

News EditorBy News EditorFebruary 22, 2025 Turkey Reports 6 Mins Read

In Ankara, the alarming trend of bootleg alcohol consumption has led to a significant public health crisis, with the recent tally of deaths caused by counterfeit alcohol reaching 65 since December 2024. As authorities intensify their crackdown on illegal alcohol production, 15 individuals remain hospitalized in intensive care due to alcohol poisoning. This situation has prompted officials to take drastic measures to combat the growing issue of harmful alcoholic beverages in the capital and surrounding provinces.

Article Subheadings
1) Growing Death Toll from Bootleg Alcohol
2) Medical Consequences and Hospitalizations
3) Law Enforcement Actions and Seizures
4) Factors Contributing to Bootlegging
5) Government Response and Tax Increases

Growing Death Toll from Bootleg Alcohol

Since late December 2024, the number of fatalities attributed to bootleg alcohol in Ankara has escalated dramatically, with the most recent announcement on February 22 revealing two additional deaths. Officials are alarmed by the increasing mortality rate connected to counterfeit alcohol, which has now risen to 65. This spike in deaths underscores a severe public health threat posed by illicit beverage production, prompting widespread concern among health officials and citizens alike.

The majority of victims are men, primarily in their 60s, hinting at a demographic trend surrounding the consumption of counterfeit alcohol. Health experts emphasize that the increasing death toll should serve as a wake-up call for communities and regulators to address both the sources of bootleg alcohol and the consequent health implications.

Medical Consequences and Hospitalizations

As of the latest reports, there are currently 15 individuals being treated in intensive care for severe poisoning due to counterfeit alcohol consumption. Medical professionals have noted a troubling trend in the types of symptoms these patients exhibit. Symptoms can vary significantly, but many exhibit severe neurological impairment and respiratory issues as a result of methanol poisoning, a common constituent in homemade alcoholic beverages.

Health authorities are tasked with not only treating these patients but also educating the public about the dangers associated with consuming unregulated drinks. Medical professionals stress the importance of awareness campaigns aimed at preventing further poisonings, especially in communities where bootlegged alcohol is increasingly being consumed due to economic pressures.

Law Enforcement Actions and Seizures

In response to the rising crisis, law enforcement agencies have ramped up their operations targeting illegal alcohol production. Over the past three months, authorities have executed 56 operations across seven provinces, including Ankara, resulting in the detention of 155 suspects. Out of those detained, 35 individuals have been formally arrested, while judicial control measures have been placed on 37 others.

During these crackdowns, officials seized an alarming quantity of counterfeit alcohol—19,935 bottles ready for sale, along with seven ethanol distillation boilers and approximately 240 tons of ethyl and methyl alcohol designated for illicit liquor production. The total estimated value of the seized illicit alcohol is approximately 150 million Turkish liras, translating to around $4.13 million. Such seizures indicate the scale of the illegal trade and highlight the authorities’ ongoing efforts to dismantle these hazardous operations.

Factors Contributing to Bootlegging

Analysis reveals that several factors are contributing to the surge in bootleg alcohol production across Turkey. A primary driver is the escalating cost of legal alcohol aligned with severe taxation imposed by the government. These heavy taxes have compelled certain consumers, particularly in economically constrained areas, to turn to less expensive, often dangerous alternatives to satisfy their drinking habits.

Additionally, the high methanol content in illicit alcohol poses a deadly risk. Many underground workshops operate without regulatory oversight, leading to the production of spirits that may be lethal. Reports show that the types of ethyl alcohol found in these workshops are often deemed unfit for human consumption, as they are primarily intended for industrial use, further amplifying the associated danger.

Government Response and Tax Increases

In an effort to combat the illicit alcohol crisis, the Turkish government has increased taxes on alcohol and tobacco products recently. This tax hike took effect on January 3, 2025, within the context of ongoing fiscal policies enacted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party. The government argues that such measures are necessary to address public health concerns, yet they may inadvertently fuel the demand for bootleg alternatives.

Critics of the government’s tax policy argue that these measures disproportionately impact low- and middle-income consumers, driving them further into the hands of bootleggers. Social analysts warn that without a holistic approach addressing both supply and demand, health crises such as the recent spike in counterfeit alcohol poisoning may continue to escalate.

No. Key Points
1 Number of deaths from counterfeit alcohol in Ankara has reached 65 since December 2024.
2 15 hospitalized patients are currently receiving treatment for severe alcohol poisoning.
3 56 operations aimed at combating illicit alcohol production have resulted in 155 detentions.
4 The government has increased taxes on alcohol and tobacco products as part of its public health strategy.
5 The demand for bootleg alcohol is being driven by high taxation on legitimate alcoholic beverages.

Summary

The concerning increase in bootleg alcohol consumption in Ankara presents a severe public health challenge, highlighted by the surge in deaths and hospitalizations due to counterfeit alcohol poisoning. As law enforcement intensifies its efforts to dismantle illegal production facilities, the underlying socio-economic factors, including high alcohol taxes, must also be addressed to curb this crisis effectively. The government’s response to the rising death toll and poisonings underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that not only combat illegal alcohol production but also consider the broader implications of taxation and public health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is causing the increase in counterfeit alcohol deaths?

The rise in counterfeit alcohol deaths is primarily due to the high methanol content in illegally produced spirits, coupled with economic pressures that force consumers to seek cheaper illicit options.

Question: What actions are authorities taking to address the issue?

Authorities have intensified operations against bootleg alcohol production, leading to numerous arrests and significant seizures of counterfeit alcohol and production equipment across multiple provinces.

Question: How do tax policies affect alcohol consumption trends?

Heavy taxation on legal alcoholic beverages has driven some consumers toward bootleg options, creating a dangerous cycle that contributes to rising instances of poisoning.

alcohol Ankara Bootleg Critical Issues in Turkey deaths Democracy in Turkey Domestic Affairs Turkey Economic Policy Turkey Government Policies Turkey Legislative Updates Turkey Media and Politics Turkey National Security Turkey Political Developments Turkey Political Reforms Turkey Regional Impact Turkey rise Social Issues Turkey Turkey’s Strategic Developments Turkish Diplomacy Turkish Elections Turkish Foreign Relations Turkish Leadership Turkish Legal Affairs Turkish Politics Turkish Public Policy
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link Bluesky
News Editor
  • Website

As the News Editor at News Journos, I am dedicated to curating and delivering the latest and most impactful stories across business, finance, politics, technology, and global affairs. With a commitment to journalistic integrity, we provide breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert insights to keep our readers informed in an ever-changing world. News Journos is your go-to independent news source, ensuring fast, accurate, and reliable reporting on the topics that matter most.

Keep Reading

Turkey Reports

AKP Chairman Resigns Amid Political Turmoil

5 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Workplace Deaths Rise: 206 Workers Killed in September Across Construction and Agriculture

5 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Turkey to Supply Rare Earth Elements to the U.S. Amid Court of Accounts Findings

5 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Lawyer Killed in Attack Involving Long-Barreled Weapons

5 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

CHP’s Two-Day Meeting Highlights ‘New Party’ Vision and Kılıçdaroğlu’s Plans

6 Mins Read
Turkey Reports

Turkey’s Science Academy Misuses Research Funds for Personal Gadgets, Audit Finds

5 Mins Read
Journalism Under Siege
Editors Picks

Krishnamoorthi Enters Competitive Illinois Senate Race, Criticizes Trump and Musk

May 7, 2025

Cybersecurity Agency Faces Major Setbacks Due to DOGE Reductions

March 8, 2025

Trump and Bukele Support Controversial Stance on Men’s Participation in Women’s Sports

April 14, 2025

Death Threats Target Republican Senator Over Trump Endorsement

March 13, 2025

Trump Calls for Comprehensive End to Iran’s Nuclear Program Beyond Israel-Iran Ceasefire

June 17, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

News

  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Money Watch

Journos

  • Top Stories
  • Turkey Reports
  • Health
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Entertainment

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Get In Touch
  • Our Authors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

© 2025 The News Journos. Designed by The News Journos.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Ad Blocker Enabled!
Ad Blocker Enabled!
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.
Go to mobile version