Illicit distiller of spirit beer busted in Joburg

Other spirit beer brands found at the Jeppe distiller operation in Johannesburg. Photo: Supplied

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If you are an avid guzzler of distilled liquor, you had better be careful of the origins of your favourite spirit beer brand.

This follows a bust of an illicit distiller of more than a million-rand worth of spirit beer in Jeppe by the South African Police Service’s Gauteng Highway Patrol and Provincial Organised Crime in collaboration with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s K9 operationalised intelligence on June 30.

Upon arrival at the said premises, the combined team of law enforcement agencies was met by a man who claimed to be the owner of the business and further produced a liquor license which was of an establishment in Mpumalanga province, Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said.

Some of the illicit liquor busted at a distiller operation at a Jeppe house in Johannesburg. Photo: Supplied

After a search of the property, Nevhuhulwi said the team discovered the property was being used to manufacture and produce illicit whiskey, vodka and gin, including reprint of counterfeit labels and packaging.

Nevhuhulwi said all the seized alcohol and machineries used in the production of the illicit liquor, including South African Revenue Service (Sars) duties were estimated to be worth more than R3.5 million. The alleged owner and five employees were arrested, she added.

The Sars Customs Division and the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) were called to take over the scene and investigations.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Gauteng, Major General Mbuso Khumalo applauded the team for their collaboration and swift reaction in removing illicit alcohol which is considered dangerous with a potential to harm consumers of the spirit beers. He also advised members of the public to only purchase liquor from legal and licensed stores.