Czech authorities are continuing a crackdown on illicit alcohol production,with a second raid in the Zlín Region in the past five weeks resulting in the seizure of nearly 1,000 liters of illegal spirits and equipment. The January 12th raid near Uherský Brod highlights growing concerns over public safety and health risks associated with unregulated distilling-especially the potential for methanol contamination. Customs officials warn that homemade production carries meaningful dangers beyond legal repercussions.
Czech authorities have cracked down on illegal alcohol production in the Zlín Region for the second time in recent weeks, seizing hundreds of liters of illicit spirits and equipment. The ongoing efforts to curb the practice reflect concerns about public health and safety related to unregulated distilling.
The latest raid, conducted January 12 near Uherský Brod, uncovered a clandestine distillery, according to customs officials. The owner told authorities he was using the equipment to produce homemade spirits.
Nearly 800 liters of fermenting mash were found on the property, which the owner claimed was intended for future use in a registered distillery. An additional 160 liters of alcohol were identified as plum brandy that he said he had owned for years. However, he was unable to provide any legal documentation for either the mash or the brandy, leading to the seizure of all materials, officials said.
Foto: Celní správa
Customs officials seized 160 liters of brandy during the raid.
This is the second illegal distillery discovered in the Zlín Region in the past five weeks. On December 10, authorities raided a former laundry facility in Otrokovice, where alcohol was being produced in “deplorable conditions,” according to a statement from customs officials.
Foto: Celní správa
Seized fermenting mash.
Those conditions posed a serious risk to both health and safety, authorities said.
“We strongly urge the public that unprofessional alcohol production carries not only the risk of explosion of the distillation equipment, but also the contamination of alcohol with toxic methanol, the consumption of which can cause serious health complications and, in some cases, even death,” a customs spokesperson warned.
Under Czech law, alcohol production is permitted only in licensed distilleries or registered farm distilleries with permission from the Ministry of Agriculture.
