T

he West Java branch of the Customs and Excise Office has discovered a bootleg alcohol production site in a home in Bojongsoang district, Bandung regency, West Java.

A woman, identified only as TR, was named a suspect for producing bootleg liquor using methanol, office head Saifullah Nasution said.

The suspect allegedly mixed 120 bottles of alcohol in a 200 liter drum. She allegedly mixed the alcohol with water, sugar, palm sugar, ginger, caramel and methanol to create beverages with the help of three workers.

The bootleg liquor, commonly known as oplosan, was sold using counterfeit stickers of brand beverages, the office’s head of law enforcement and investigation, Bier Budi Kusmulyanto, said.

“The production began in October 2017. The liquor was marketed in Bandung, Garut and Tasikmalaya areas,” he said adding that the suspect did not possess a permit for alcohol beverage production.

TR also allegedly marked the bottles with used customs tape to make them appear official. The sale of the bootleg liquor allegedly caused Rp 1.8 billion in unrealized sales for alcohol companies. In addition, the inclusion of highly toxic methanol in the beverages also posed a health risk for consumers.

The suspect allegedly violated the 2007 Customs Law, which carries a maximum penalty of up to eight years in prison and a fine of up to 20 times the customs value that would have needed to be paid.