Government analysis: state agencies fell down in efforts to combat illegal alcohol

A new government analysis has criticised the Czech state’s efforts to combat the illegal market in alcohol in the last two years. The report – due to be discussed by the cabinet on Wednesday – says that state bodies failed to carry out controls or to prosecute criminal activity sufficiently. Moreover, there was poor communication between the various agencies responsible. In September, the government banned the sale of all spirits for nearly two weeks after a series of deaths related to drinking bootleg liquor containing methanol; to date thirty-three people have died and several more have suffered permanent damage to their health.