Santo Domingo – The Dominican Republic is ramping up its national campaign against counterfeit alcohol as festive season activities accelerate, aiming to preserve its remarkable zero-death record from methanol-tainted beverages maintained since 2021. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM) has issued a public alert urging citizens, businesses, and distributors to exercise heightened vigilance against illicit alcohol circulation.
Minister Víctor ‘Ito’ Bisonó emphasized that while government enforcement has been instrumental in achieving the current safety record, sustained public cooperation remains critical during high-risk periods. ‘This achievement stems from coordinated governmental action, but citizen participation is indispensable,’ Bisonó stated, calling for responsible purchasing practices and immediate reporting of suspicious products.
Enhanced enforcement operations led by the Specialized Corps for Fuel and Merchandise Control (CECCOM) have been deployed nationwide through intelligence-driven inspections and seizures. These measures are conducted in collaboration with the Roundtable for Combating Illicit Trade, targeting criminal networks that jeopardize public health and economic stability.
Consumer protection authorities have provided detailed guidelines for identifying potentially dangerous beverages, including examining bottles for signs of tampering, verifying security seals, checking labels for inconsistencies, and scrutinizing tax stamps. The ministry specifically recommended using the DGII’s ‘Revísame’ mobile application to authenticate products through digital tax stamp verification at point of sale.
Beyond enforcement, the MICM continues educational initiatives targeting retailers and distributors, training them to recognize adulterated products and reject illegal suppliers. The judicial system has demonstrated seriousness in prosecuting offenders, with over 50 convictions for illicit trade activities including sentences reaching 30 years imprisonment.
The ministry reaffirmed that preventing alcohol-related tragedies requires collective responsibility, urging consumers to purchase exclusively from authorized establishments and report suspicious activities to comercioilicito@micm.gob.do.