Sermitsiaq wrote it May 5 about the lack of alcoholic products in Pilersuisoq in Qaanaaq.
Ane Qujakitsoq, who lives in Qaanaaq, tells Sermitsiaq that she has seen strong spirits such as vodka and Aalborg Akvavit being sold on social media. A liter is sold for up to DKK 2,000, while smaller bottles are sold for around DKK 1,000.
Sermitsiaq wrote it May 5 about the lack of alcoholic products in Pilersuisoq in Qaanaaq.
Ane Qujakitsoq, who lives in Qaanaaq, tells Sermitsiaq that she has seen strong spirits such as vodka and Aalborg Akvavit being sold on social media. A liter is sold for up to DKK 2,000, while smaller bottles are sold for around DKK 1,000.
– I regularly see on Facebook that strong spirits are first put up for auction and then sold, says Ane Qujakitsoq.
The Alcohol Act states:
“It is prohibited to sell or serve alcoholic beverages without an alcohol license.”
According to the Greenland Police, there have been no reports of private sales of alcohol in Qaanaaq.
The price does not seem to be decisive
Since there are no longer alcoholic beverages for sale in Pilersuisoq in Qaanaaq, there is little doubt that people who want alcohol will buy it regardless of the price.
– It is unsatisfactory that some resell alcohol solely to make money without regard for their fellow human beings, says Ane Qujakitsoq.
She believes that people fail to report the illegal sale of alcohol for fear of consequences.
– I sometimes wonder why people don’t know that they can report it to the police. At the same time, many fear that they may be exposed to reprisals if they act as witnesses, says Ane Qujakitsoq.
It is possible to report it to the police
The Greenland Police state that they have not recently received any reports about the sale of strong spirits between private individuals in Qaanaaq.
– It cannot be ruled out that private individuals buy or resell strong spirits, but we have not received reports that give rise to an investigation, the Greenland Police stated in a written reply to Sermitsiaq.
The police emphasize that citizens who are in doubt as to whether they should report something are always welcome to contact the Greenland Police on telephone 70 14 48.
Customs authorities do not check travelers to Qaanaaq
Since Qaanaaq does not have an international airport, travelers to and from the city are not checked for what they bring.
A citizen of Qaanaaq points out that the customs authorities do not investigate whether travelers to Qaanaaq bring strong liquor.
– If the customs authorities do not want to change their practice and start checking whether people bring alcohol to Qaanaaq, the only option is for witnesses to report the illegal sale of alcohol to the police, says Ane Qujakitsoq.
