Although the Islamic Republic refuses to acknowledge the problem of alcohol consumption in Iran, the issue is widely known. However, very little has been written about the smugglers, mostly poor farmers from Piranshahr (Iran) , who risk their lives walking at night through the mountains exposing themselves to dangers such as wolves, landmines or gunfire from Iranian border patrols. According to a report released by Hengaw, a Kurdish Iranian human-rights website, 25 men have lost their lives during the first three months of 2017 crossing the mountains.
They make around $70 per trip while a bottle of Chivas Whiskey in Teheran can cost $200.
