GEORGE TOWN: Two Myanmar men died and five are receiving treatment for methanol poisoning after consuming homemade brew here.
Penang Hospital lodged a police report following the incident between June 11 and 14, after the seven construction workers, in their 40s, were admitted.
Acting on the report and based on the initial findings, Northeast district OCPD Assistant Commissioner Che Zaimani Che Awang said the investigating team raided a premises at Komtar on June 15 and seized alcoholic beverages and other liquid substances believed to be used in producing the booze.
“We have taken samples of the alcoholic brew and have also conducted checks on family members,” he told a press conference today.
“Further investigation found that the brew was bottled under five different brand names,” he said, adding that they were Cap Kapak, Grand Royal Whisky, Paul Martin, Myanmar Whisky and High Class Whisky.
“We have also detained the premises operator, aged 44, believed to be involved in the case.
“For the past two months we had six other cases reported with four deaths from methanol poisoning.”
The man has been remanded for 14 days and the case is being investigated under Section 304b of the Penal Code for culpable homicide.