– We suspect that they will pour this into bottles, with packaging from world-renowned manufacturers, and sell something that claims to be a legal product, says section manager Magnus Ånsløkken in the Customs. He is one of several who now warn against buying alcohol you do not know where it comes from. Over the past year, customs officers have seen several attempts to smuggle counterfeit packaging and suspicious imports of isopropanol, a toxic alcohol used in disinfectants and windscreen washer fluid. Taken with production equipment Most recently last week, two men from Lithuania were stopped with 575 liters of liquid on a small cul-de-sac at Kongsvinger. The liquid was distributed in several plastic cans and marked as a disinfectant. The two explained that the goods were to be used for foiling cars. But equipment typical of alcohol production was found in the car. Section chief Morten Nystuen in the Customs in Kongsvinger warns against buying smuggled alcohol. Photo: Ann Kristin Mo / NRK – There were plastic caps, dosing pumps, pressure pumps and a compressor. Equipment used to make alcohol, says section chief Morten Nystuen at the Customs in Kongsvinger to NRK. They are now charged with gross violation of the Customs Act and remanded in custody for two weeks. Reviewer man from Østfold A few weeks earlier, customs officers at Ørje in Østfold seized a thousand liters of alcohol. The alcohol was declared as a disinfectant. But the customs officers suspected that it was all an attempt to hide counterfeit liquor intended for sale in Norway. Samples taken at the customs office showed that the content was isopropanol. – The proportion was so low that you can not call it disinfectant. But it can still pose a significant health risk to drink it, says Magnus Ånsløkken. The customs service will now report the man to the police. A man from Indre Østfold is reported to the police after he imported a thousand liters of alcohol which was declared as a disinfectant. Photo: Customs 18 people died Last autumn, several empty bottles, cartons, ethics and corks were seized at Svinesund. NRK is aware that seizures have also been made in Swedish Töcksfors. The Swedish customs service will not comment on the case because it is under investigation. Customs officers at Svinesund have seized a large number of empty liquor bottles in the last year. Photo: Customs The Customs in Norway suspects that the bottles are filled with alcohol that is cleared through customs in Norway and incorrectly declared as legal goods. – There is no age limit when buying smuggled alcohol. It can be sold to 12-year-olds, and that makes this very dangerous. People must be careful about what they push into themselves, says Nystuen. He recalls the so-called methanol case that shook Norway at the beginning of the 2000s. 18 people died and at least 46 got serious poisonings after drinking methanol-containing smuggled alcohol. – I’ll never forget that case. There were 18 who died, he says and takes a break. – At that time we seized both petrol and windscreen washer fluid which were to be distilled and sold as alcohol. It’s amazing what Norwegians drink.
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Customs warns against counterfeit and dangerous alcohol after seizures in Østfold – NRK Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
