Cops crack down on illegal liquor manufacturer
The South African Police Service (SAPS) cracked down on an illegal alcohol manufacturing company in the North of Durban last week.
According to a media statement released, by the SAPS office of the provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), last Thursday, March 7, eThekwini District SAPS office received information from the KZN Liquor and Agriculture Boards about a group of people manufacturing illicit alcohol from a warehouse in the Ottawa area in Verulam.
eThekwini District Commissioner, Major General Makhozazana Victoria Kheswa, said eThekwini Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) immediately created a joint operation with the KZN Liquor and Agriculture Boards and mobilised members to swoop in on the illegal distillery.
“The team proceeded to the identified warehouse in the Ottawa area, which appeared as a creative shop fitting service,” said Major General Kheswa.
“During the operation members found several drums containing ethanol chemicals. On questioning the owner of the warehouse, he failed to account for it. The suspect an, Indian male aged 64 years old, was arrested and a total of 12 000 litres of ethanol chemicals was seized, with an estimated value of R1 million.”
The Indian male was arrested on charges of operating an illegal micro distillery, unlawful possession of ethanol and contravention of the Liquor Act.
Major General Kheswa commended the good team work involved in removing dangerous substances used to make illegal alcohol, which could harm potential consumers. She also emphasised that alcohol should only be purchased from a legalised bottle store to ensure consumer safety.
