Since mid- July, Ecuadorian authorities have confirmed 161 cases of methanol poisoning after the sale of contaminated bootleg liquor left 45 dead and 350 more undergoing treatment.  Currently, over 100,00 liters of unmarked liquor have been seized by Ecuadorian forces from the province of Los Ríos and up to 24 more neighboring provinces.  

According to Ecuador’s Ministry of Health, the contamination occurred accidentally in an unregistered Los Ríos bodega accused of mixing and selling uncertified whiskey, rum, and wine to black market vendors under counterfeit nutrition and ingredient labels.  The outbreak of adulterated alcohol has brought stricter scrutiny to illegitimate processing plants across the country that once flew under the radar.  Not only are government authorities cracking down on illegal trafficking, but they are now investigating raw material distribution as well.    

Thorough testing of both patients and confiscated materials has confirmed the presence of dangerous quantities of methanol in the uncertified liquor.  When ingested, this extremely toxic substance produces metabolites such as formic acid and formaldehyde that can immediately cause severe headaches, vomiting, and loss of vision.  Permanent blindness and death can also occur.