Multiple Youth Hospitalizations in Stockholm Linked to Toxic Fake Alcohol from Illicit Vodka Delivery Services
Youth hospitalizations in Stockholm from toxic fake alcohol bought via illicit vodka delivery services on social media spark multiple police investigations and warnings.
- • Several youths hospitalized after consuming toxic counterfeit alcohol in Stockholm.
- • Blood tests revealed harmful isopropanol in victims supporting poisoning concerns.
- • At least seven locations affected, with deliveries coordinated through Snapchat.
- • Five suspects were arrested and released; links to cases remain uncertain.
- • Authorities warn parents about the dangers of illicit alcohol and urge open discussions.
Key details
Over the recent weekend, several youths in Stockholm were hospitalized after consuming counterfeit alcohol sold through illicit 'vodka delivery' services primarily operating via social media platforms like Snapchat. Authorities have reported multiple investigations into these incidents, which have been concentrated across at least seven locations in the Stockholm area, including Nacka, Tyresö, Vallentuna, and the Slakthusområdet.
Police interventions have resulted in the arrest of five suspects in southern Stockholm, although these individuals were later released and their direct connection to the poisoning cases remains unclear. Blood tests of affected youths revealed the presence of isopropanol, a toxic substance commonly found in cleaning agents such as windshield washer fluid and carburetor fluids, raising serious public health concerns. Dr. Juan Figueroa Sepulveda of the Maria Ungdom clinic remarked on the unusual scale of the incidents, stating, "I have worked for nearly 30 years and have never encountered this many cases simultaneously."
Social services in Nacka have identified this as a recurring problem involving illicit alcohol sold through "vodkabilar," vehicles that distribute fake alcohol often coordinated via social media channels like Snapchat. Ola Jonsson from Nacka’s youth team explained that the counterfeit alcohol sometimes contains harmful cleaning agents, which significantly increases health risks for consumers.
Police and municipal authorities have issued warnings to parents and communities, emphasizing the life-threatening dangers posed by these fake alcoholic products and urging caregivers to discuss the risks of consuming illicit alcohol with their children. The investigations continue as law enforcement seeks to trace back the sources and dismantle the networks responsible for distributing these hazardous substances in the city.
These alarming developments highlight the ongoing dangers of unregulated alcohol sales to youth and signal a need for increased vigilance and preventive measures ahead of social events such as the autumn break.