POLICE have raided several liquor shops in the Klang Valley and arrested at least seven proprietors as the death toll from alcohol poisoning climbed to 17 as of this afternoon.

Selangor police in a statement today said a task force had conducted raids at Taman Seri Muda in Shah Alam, Taman Sri Gombak, Taman Daya, Taman Sri Ehsan, in Kuala Lumpur, Kg Baru Subang, Seksyen U5 in Shah Alam, and Bandar Rincing in Semenyih and Kajang since yesterday.

They also arrested five men and two women, said to be locals and foreigners from Myanmar and India.

The raiding parties also seized 1,030 Grand Royal and Mandalay whiskey bottles and 1,767 Kingfisher beer cans. These were the alcohol brands which victims were believed to have consumed before they fell ill.

A total of 17 investigation papers have been opened as police investigate the deaths as culpable homicide.

Police also said 24 victims are warded in various public hospitals in the Klang Valley. Nine of them were discharged yesterday and today.

Among the victims are Malaysians and foreigners from Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh and India.

Health Ministry officials last night said all cases were related to methanol poisoning.

The patients displayed symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, breathing difficulties, seizures and loss of consciousness.

Initial investigations by the Federal Territory and Selangor Health Departments showed that the victims bought the alcohol from liquor stores in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Samples of the alcoholic drinks have been sent to the Sg Buloh National Public Health Laboratory for analysis.

Police, meanwhile, said that the raids and operations will continue as they step up their efforts to nab the distributors and suppliers.

The case has been classified as culpable homicide, which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine, or both. – September 19, 2018.