EASTERN CAPE – An illicit liquor manufacturing operation has been uncovered by the KuGompo City Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) in collaboration with the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and Stutterheim police’s Crime Prevention Unit in Stutterheim this week.

According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, seven suspects appeared in the Stutterheim Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 April, facing charges of contravening the Liquor Act.

The seven suspects are Simphiwe Jaca (24), Sanelisiwe Gaza (22), Luxolo Hlamvana (36), Aphiwe Gigaba (24), Zwe Ntsawulwayo (34), Mxolisi Nqwenya (36) and Smagaliso Mdlovu (29).

“Their court appearance follows an intelligence-driven operation conducted on Wednesday 22 April where law enforcement officials acted on credible information regarding the illegal production of liquor at a residential property situated at Riverside Road in Stutterheim,” Mhlakuvana said.

“Upon execution of the operation, police uncovered a fully functional clandestine liquor laboratory.”

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Significant confiscations

He added that the premises were found to be used for the unlawful manufacturing and bottling of counterfeit alcoholic beverages, “including brands resembling commercially distributed products such as Gordon’s Gin and Old Buck Dry Gin”.

Mhlakuvana added that the operation yielded significant confiscations, “including hundreds of empty bottles, counterfeit labels, original bottle caps and various implements used in the production process”.

Further seizures included 514 bottles of suspected counterfeit Gordon’s Gin, 16 bottles of Old Buck gin ready for distribution, an estimated 500 litres of prepared mixture, and 200 litres of ethanol believed to be used in the manufacturing process, the spokesperson said.

“A Nissan bakkie, which is suspected to have been used in the transportation and distribution of the illicit products, was also confiscated,” Mhlakuvana said. “The estimated value of the seized items was approximately R350 000.”

The suspects appeared in court on 24 April, where the matter was remanded to Monday 4 May for a formal bail application. All seven suspects remain in police custody.