PAARL – Three Chinese nationals are expected to appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court after police confiscated illicit liquor valued at approximately R9.75 million during an operation in Paarl last week.

According to a statement by the police, members of the provincial counterfeit and illicit goods policing team, working alongside the anti-economic crimes task team, acted on intelligence regarding a suspect who allegedly owns a liquor outlet in Stellenbosch and operates a warehouse in Paarl.

Police said officers launched an operation on Thursday 4 June and monitored the movements of a suspect’s vehicle as it travelled to Paarl. The vehicle reportedly entered a secure premises before leaving a short while later.

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly sped away, triggering a high-speed chase.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The driver fled on foot, leaving two occupants inside the vehicle. Police members gave chase and successfully apprehended the suspect.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of illicit liquor. Officers then alerted officials from the police’s customs unit and proceeded to a warehouse in Paarl, where a further quantity of illicit liquor was recovered.

The total value of the seized liquor is estimated at R9.75 million.

The three suspects, all Chinese nationals, were arrested and are expected to appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court once they have been formally charged.