---
title: "Ricin contaminated water"
description: "CBRNe World provides those tasked with defending against CBRN and IED threats with the essential practical, scientific and political information. Access the current and previous issues of the magazine by registering as a member."
url: "https://cbrneworld.com/threats-news/europe/ricin-contaminated-water"
date: "2026-07-30T21:12:05+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Ricin contaminated water

 Written on 01 October 2025.

At the end of September Czech issued an urgent alert urging the public to stay alert, but not to panic, after a blackmailer claimed to have placed bottles of water containing the poisonous substance ricin in Prague supermarkets.

preliminary tests on a bottle recovered in Brno last week suggested the presence of ricin, but specialists are still analyzing the substance to determine how dangerous it is. Investigators say the blackmailer first demanded 66 bitcoins, worth about CZK 152 million, threatening to poison bottled drinking water in shops and restaurants if not paid. In an email sent to a Czech newsroom on Saturday, he complained of not receiving the money and claimed to have placed two poisoned bottles in Prague.

For now, officials recommend buying only factory-sealed beverages and remaining attentive while shopping. Investigators continue to track the sender of the ransom emails and have not ruled out additional measures if new evidence appears. Police say they are investigating whether the messages were meant to cause panic or disrupt emergency services.

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