Government issues decree to regulate the import and commercialization of methanol
The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, issued Decree 275-21 with the purpose of controlling the import and commercialization of methanol, in addition to other precursors.
The move seeks to prevent this type of substance to adulterate alcoholic beverages, an illegal practice that has caused more than 100 deaths in the country in 2020.
From now on, a series of requirements will be requested to obtain the Certificate of Registration of Controlled Drugs Class “B” regarding the precursor’s methyl alcohol (methanol), ethyl alcohol (ethanol), isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol, and propyl alcohol (propanol).
Among the requirements is to be a legal person, registered in accordance with the regulations in force in the country, for which it must present a certificate of the Commercial Registry, Industrial Registry in case it is an industry and certification of registration in the National Taxpayers Registry (RNC).
They must also be up to date in complying with their tax obligations, for which they must present a certification issued by the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) for these purposes. To present the sworn statement signed by the applicant stating the use that will be given to the controlled substances that are the object of the Registry.
Applicants must demonstrate that these precursors are to be used exclusively as raw materials or inputs.
They must have an inspection prior to granting the license from the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) that certifies that the company in question has access control measures to the warehouses where the precursors or precursors are to be deposited. imported controlled substances.
The government also announced the obligation to apply an unpleasant taste to methanol, after this toxic alcohol caused 127 deaths in April from the consumption of rums and other adulterated spirits.
Importers will have to put in methanol, and in other alcohols that are not suitable for consumption, a concentration of denatonium benzoate, a substance with a bitter taste that is often used in the industry to prevent the ingestion of toxic materials.
This measure is contained in a decree that toughens the rules for the importation and commercialization of methanol, a toxic alcohol that had been used in the Dominican Republic for the clandestine manufacture of beverages, such as rum or clerén, a cane distillate prohibited in the country. .
These low-priced drinks were sold in grocery stores and by street vendors, usually in poor areas, in different parts of the country.
In April at least 127 people died from drinking adulterated beverages and last year, between January and April, another 247 people died for the same reason.
“We may see the figures very distant and cold until it comes up close,” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Víctor ‘Ito’ Bisonó, when presenting the measures at a press conference at the National Palace.
Since the current wave of intoxications began, the Dominican authorities have dismantled four factories of adulterated alcohol, have intervened 400 businesses and have suspended eight of them.
These operations have resulted in the arrest of 34 people and the confiscation of thousands of bottles and liters of alcohol not suitable for consumption.