In recent years, the Customs Service has registered increased smuggling and customs clearance of empty alcohol bottles. Additionally, plastic caps and counterfeit labels of world-famous spirits were smuggled. This development raises serious concerns that illegal bottling, production and sale of spirit drinks intended to be genuine goods are taking place.
– Unfortunately, we have to issue a new warning about counterfeit alcohol only half a year after the last one. The recent seizures provide additional cause for concern as we enter the Russian season and the summer season, with its accompanying high levels of holiday activity. It is important for everyone, regardless of age, to understand that purchasing or drinking illicit alcohol is not safe. Although the product looks original, its contents may pose a threat to health and life. This is what customs director Øystein Børmer warns.
Customs recently discovered suspicious isopropanol imports
The agency suspects that the alcohol that fills the bottles is being cleared in Norway and is incorrectly declared as other liquid goods. Customs has recently discovered a suspicious import of isopropanol, which is a toxic alcohol used as a solvent, incl. in disinfectants and glass cleaner. Based on the possible connection with the smuggling of empty bottles, the Customs Service believes that it is necessary to warn against illegal and harmful alcohol.
Isopropanol itself is very harmful to health
Research by the agency shows that isopropanol can be purified by distillation. Due to this action, ordinary alcohol is released. At the same time, there is a high risk that the process will not remove harmful substances. Isopropanol itself is very harmful to health, and distillation often uses other harmful substances that are added to the end product. Which is a serious threat to life and health.
Source: toll.no
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