'This is a crazy phenomenon,' say police as dozens die from bootleg alcohol

Deaths from drinking toxic bootleg alcohol in Indonesia have exceeded 100 this month, police said as they vowed a "scorched earth" crackdown on the makers and distributors of black-market liquor.

Deputy national police chief Muhammad Syafruddin said deaths have been concentrated in populous West Java and Jakarta, the capital, but there were also cases in South Kalimantan and other regions that have brought fatalities to more than 100.