India, May 31 -- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Saturday seized nearly 5,929 kg of toxic methanol from a Bhiwandi-based company, Rex International, which allegedly supplied the chemical to bootleggers involved in making spurious alcohol that led to the death of 16 people in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, officials said.

The action was taken following directions from FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe after police investigations revealed that the toxic chemical used in the liquor had allegedly been sourced from Rex International, a company operating from Vashi with a warehouse in Bhiwandi.

Acting on this information, drug inspector Yogendra Pol raided the company's warehouse in Bhiwandi.

During the inspection, officials ...