Have you ever had an offer to buy alcohol from an uncertain source? No matter if something similar happened to you or not, second-hand alcohol trade is frequent and widespread.
You are probably wondering whether this is a serious threat at all. Regardless of what the opinion of "sellers" of such a drink may be, Polish law includes these practices as illegal, and therefore punishable.
But what could threaten Mr. Kowalski, who decided to buy only one flask from such an uncertain source? Can it face any criminal consequences? Well yes.
Don't buy second-hand alcohol
The mere possession of illegal alcohol can result in heavy fines and even imprisonment. If you buy more of it, you may be suspected of distributing it. Such a situation is highly probable, especially considering the methods that criminals use to cheat.
One of the common ways of selling illegal liquors is a racket for a would-be wedding. The alleged organizers of the wedding party claim that they bought a large number of bottles, but for various reasons the party did not take place. So they propose to sell the alcohol for a bargain price. The problem is that many, if not most, of these proposals are fraudulent. In fact, these liquors come from an illegal source.
Also, if you come across an excellent offer to sell alcohol on the Internet - on social networks or e-forums, don't be fooled. It is completely illegal to distribute such substances on the web. Often, these drinks contain methyl alcohol and other harmful substances. How seriously might their consumption be?
Holidays under the pear tree, or rather underground
This controversial subtitle is pure truth. Every year in Poland illegal alcohol takes about 170 people to their graves! Liquors sold by left-hand suppliers can contain up to 20 times more methyl alcohol than prescribed by the standards. It is estimated that such products constitute as much as 15% on our home market.
While you happen to hear about "uncle's moonshine" and its good influence, you never know what to expect from second-hand alcohol. There are known practices for making 'percentages' out of substances that you would never expect. We are talking about ingredients such as grill lighter or washer fluid. You must have come across the term "blindness". This term refers to such productions. The name comes from nothing. Liquors from the left source can lead to blindness and serious damage to other organs. In this case, it's not even about the legal consequences, save your life and health!
Don't underestimate the problem
Remember, even if you have not had such a situation yet, sooner or later you may encounter an offer at a promotional price. Then react correctly and refuse firmly. Thanks to this, you will avoid many problems.
Moreover, alcohol prices on the legal market are not as high as they seem. Many stores offer very attractive promotions and discounts, and even loyalty programs. Buy cheaper, legally and healthy!