Five arrested for illegal alcohol sales in Stockholm
Five people arrested in Stockholm for selling toxic alcohol to teenagers. Multiple minors hospitalized after drinking spirits containing cleaning chemicals. Police confirm the illegal alcohol was imported in vodka shipments and sold via Snapchat.
Multiple teenagers were hospitalized Saturday night after drinking spirits containing isopropanol. This chemical is commonly used for cleaning and disinfection. Police have arrested five suspects.
Authorities first received alerts on Friday about unconscious teenagers in the Stockholm region. They had consumed illegally imported alcohol purchased through Snapchat. By Saturday evening, more minors from Nacka and Tyresö required ambulance transport to hospitals.
Officials confirmed the alcohol arrived in a vodka shipment. Ola Österling, a police spokesperson, stated this in a press briefing.
Early Sunday morning, police arrested five individuals suspected of selling alcohol to minors. One of those detained is underage. Charges include serious illegal handling of spirits, serious unlawful alcohol sales, and causing bodily harm.
Police worked intensively through the night on the case. They interviewed young people and confiscated the suspects' phones. Mats Eriksson, another police spokesperson, said investigators brought in digital forensics experts to examine the suspects' activities.
This incident reveals ongoing challenges with illegal alcohol distribution to youth through social media platforms. The case highlights how easily dangerous substances can reach young consumers despite existing controls.