Guarulhos men charged for selling adulterated vodka that blinded a woman

The Public Ministry of São Paulo (MPSP) has filed criminal charges against two men involved in the sale of adulterated vodka that caused permanent blindness in a woman in Guarulhos. The incident occurred in September 2025, when a customer consumed the beverage at a commercial establishment on Avenida Guarulhos and suffered severe methanol poisoning, resulting in the total loss of vision in both eyes.

Investigations by the 16th Criminal Prosecution Office of Guarulhos revealed a scheme where the establishment's owner purchased alcohol from various suppliers without requiring fiscal documentation, prioritizing lower prices. The second defendant allegedly sourced the vodka from unknown vendors near the São Paulo Municipal Market and distributed it as a well-known brand without proof of authenticity.

Following the incident, authorities seized several bottles of vodka from the establishment. Forensic analysis confirmed that eight samples contained methanol concentrations between 34.6% and 40.9%, concluding the products were highly toxic and unfit for human consumption. The defendants face charges of falsifying products intended for consumption and bodily injury.