EVIL SPIRITS: Cops Arrest Bootlegger Gang Over Tainted Booze That Killed Almost A Dozen People

This is the moment Russian police bust an organised gang involved in the production and selling of surrogate alcohol that poisoned and killed 11 individuals who bought it.

The search-and-seizure operation followed a nearly two-year-long investigation, which ultimately led police to the organised group's hideaway in the city of St Petersburg.

Two men and two women aged 58 to 70 years reportedly died after purchasing and consuming poor-quality alcohol-containing products.

They had all reportedly bought the surrogate alcohol from a 59-year-old group member.

In total, 11 victims passed away from alcohol poisoning in August 2021.

Investigators with the Department of Economic Security and Anti-Corruption of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Chuvash Republic were able to identify and detain four suspects who sold the drinks.

Operatives additionally seized 169 litres of surrogate alcohol in a storage unit rented by the 59-year-old suspect.

Further operational activities reportedly led to the arrest of three individuals, aged 26, 39 and 52, who were engaged in the manufacture and sale of the alcoholic surrogate.

In two storage units, investigators found more than 3,000 litres of alcohol-containing products, including those bottled with fake excise stamps pasted on.

Over RUB 3 million (GBP 35,300) in cash were seized during the police search.

The collected materials were reportedly transferred to the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Chuvash Republic.