Woman Arrested at Sophisticated Fake-Liquor Lab in Rio Claro as 'Poison Source' Crackdown Widens

Overview

• Police in Rio Claro detained a woman on Friday in a warehouse in Ajapi that they say operated as a clandestine lab for producing and bottling counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
• The site featured an industrial mixer, a sound-insulated room to mask machinery noise, and stock for large-scale distribution, including luxury whisky labels that retail for more than R$ 2,000.
• Officers seized two firearms at the warehouse, and all recovered materials will undergo forensic analysis.
• Friday’s action follows Thursday’s third phase of Operation Poison Source, when three search warrants targeted a residence, a city wine shop and a rural property identified as a clandestine factory, leading to two arrests including the woman’s brother.
• Authorities reported seizing R$ 72,000 in cash, two vehicles, a motorcycle and unverified goods used as payment, and said the suspects were booked for crimes against public health, consumer relations and property and industrial rights as the wider network remains under investigation.