Mamuju Police Arrest 2 Oplosan Alcohol Suppliers Who Killed 5 Youths

ANTARA/HO/Humas Polresta Mamuju)

Mamuju Police, West Sulawesi, arrested two drivers of adulterated liquor suppliers suspected of causing the death of five youths and 17 others being treated at a number of hospitals in Mamuju Regency.

"Both of them are strongly suspected of being the party who provides liquor in the form of toxic liquids or expired alcohol to a group of youths who then drink the drink," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Mamuju Police, AKP Agustinus Pigay, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, September 22.

The two people who were arrested were Md (40) and Rj (32), who are known to work as drivers of the waste transport company.

Agustinus Pigay emphasized that his party would continue to investigate and examine the two perpetrators.

"This case is a serious concern because it has claimed lives," he said.

For their actions, the two alleged perpetrators can be charged with Article 204 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) regarding the crime of selling or giving dangerous goods that result in people dying, with the threat of life imprisonment.

The case of adulterated liquor began when dozens of youths in Pancasila Hamlet, Papalang Village, Mamuju Regency, on Thursday night (18/9) at around 20.00 WITA held a liquor party, which was mixed with packaged energy drinks.

The liquor, which was suspected of being alcoholic, expired, was brought by Md and Rj, then consumed by the youths.

The next day, on Friday afternoon (19/9) the youths who had consumed the mixed drinks began to experience symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

The residents then took the youths to the Topore Health Center for medical assistance.

However, on Saturday (20/9) at around 10:10 WITA, five youths experienced severe shortness of breath and were finally declared dead.

Until now, a number of youths who had drunk the adulterated liquor were still undergoing treatment at a number of hospitals, namely Mitra Manakarra Hospital, Mamuju Hospital, Bhayangkara Hospital and Sulbar Regional Hospital.