Investigators are looking into counterfeit alcohol as the reason behind a string of mysterious deaths in the Dominican Republic. Counterfeit alcohol has caused deaths in India, Iran, Indonesia, and several other countries in recent years, leading investigators to look further into it as the culprit. 

Counterfeit alcohol is made in a hurry to make easy money, and it is often toxic or deadly. At least seven people have recently died in the Dominican Republic and the FBI is working to test blood samples of the victims to see if they can link it to counterfeit alcohol they may have consumed prior to their deaths. 

Most of the deaths have similarities, including normally healthy adults becoming gravely sick after drinking from the hotel minibar. Lawrence Kobilinsky, a forensic science professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan commented on the situation, telling the New  York Post, "Adulterated alcohol is usually methanol added to alcohol or just plain methanol, which is very, very toxic. It looks to me, from what I’ve heard and read, is that something was added to the drinks or bottles in those little refrigerators." 

He added, "There should be no methanol at all. If it’s there, it means it’s been adulterated or put there deliberately." 

Source: NY Post