Overview

• Operation Poison Source mobilized about 150 officers to execute 20 search-and-seizure warrants across eight cities including Poá, São Paulo and Santos.
• Police arrested at least five on beverage adulteration charges, detained one for illegal gun possession, and reported one additional arrest under review.
• Seizures included bottles, caps, fake labels and Receita Federal seals, bottling machinery, phones and documents, with a stash of empty bottles found in Poá.
• Preliminary on-site tests by Abrape indicated adulteration, while laboratory analyses will confirm any toxic substances such as methanol.
• Investigators describe an associated supply chain with specialized roles, and evidence points to distribution to six other Brazilian states.