About 10,000 gallons of alleged tainted alcohol were seized in Mexico this week from an illicit manufacturer providing alcohol to tourist stops in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Mexican officials discovered the manufacturer after raiding 31 resorts, nightclubs, and restaurants in the area and shutting down two for unsanitary alcohol, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
The raids came after numerous tourists complained of blacking out after drinking only small amounts of alcohol at several resorts. Some tourists were assaulted or robbed after passing out, the Journal Sentinel reported.
In January, 20-year-old Abby Conner drowned in a small amount of water while passed out after drinking a small amount at the lobby bar of Iberostar Paraiso Maya, which was one of the two shut down by officials.
The other bar shut down was Fat Tuesday, a popular bar in Cancun, Time reported.
Conner’s mother told the Journal Sentinel she was happy about the raids.
“It’s needed. There is obviously stuff going on that needs to be cleaned up and looked into further,” Ginny McGowan said. “They need to investigate and interview employees. This makes sense. This needs to happen.”
A report this year by Euromonitor International showed up to 36 percent of alcohol consumed in Mexico was illegal.
A warning to travelers was issued by the State Department in late July when it updated the information page for Mexico to reference the possibility of tainted alcohol, warning travelers to drink in moderation and “seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill.”