Cuba sets prison terms for stolen alcohol deaths

Posted on Wednesday, 06.18.14

Cuba sets prison terms for stolen alcohol deaths
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HAVANA -- More than a dozen islanders have been convicted in a case of
poisonous black-market alcohol that killed 11 and sickened nearly 100,
the Communist Party newspaper Granma reported Wednesday.

Two guards at the University of Havana's Institute of Pharmacy and Foods
were found guilty of stealing about 16 gallons (60 liters) of methyl
alcohol and sentenced to 27 and 30 years in prison for theft, negligent
homicide and causing grave injury.

Another guard was sentenced to six years for playing a lesser role in
the theft. All three were ordered to pay compensation to the victims and
their families.

Others received lesser terms ranging from a few months up to 5 years on
charges including receipt of stolen goods and attempting to conceal a
crime. The Institute's dean and other officials were dismissed from
their posts.

"The criminal treatment of this case demonstrates the will of our
Government and its authorities to preserve citizen safety by confronting
crime and illegalities, for which there will never be impunity," Granma
said.

"Nevertheless," it added, "regrettable incidents such as this are a
lesson for all those citizens who — perhaps without realizing the
negligence of their actions — abet unscrupulous elements who are capable
of selling death itself."

Cuba occasionally reports incidents of mass poisonings from black-market
food or moonshine liquor.

This latest case emerged last July after dozens of people went to
emergency rooms with symptoms of severe poisoning.

Methyl alcohol, also called methanol or "wood alcohol," is used in
research labs. It is highly toxic for humans, with the potential to kill
or cause permanent health problems such as blindness.

Initial reports last year said seven people had died from ingesting the
poisonous moonshine, and 41 were sickened.

Source: HAVANA: Cuba sets prison terms for stolen alcohol deaths -
Latest News - MiamiHerald.com -
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/18/4186055/cuba-sets-prison-terms-for-stolen.html