Police Bust Illegal Liquor Operation Worth R1.5 Million in KZN

Law enforcement officers have shut down an illegal liquor manufacturing operation in the Umhlali Policing Precinct, KwaZulu-Natal, seizing illicit alcohol worth R1.5 million.

#sapsKZN Umhlali Police multi-disciplinary operation together with KwaZulu Natal Provincial Counterfeit Contraband and Illicit Goods Unit, cracked down on an illegal liquor manufacturing business operating in the Umhlali Policing Precinct, seizing counterfeit and illegal liquor… pic.twitter.com/Y67TqOg9sE

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) March 17, 2025

A 36-year-old suspect, identified as the business manager, was arrested during the multi-disciplinary raid, conducted by Umhlali Police alongside the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Counterfeit Contraband and Illicit Goods Unit.

Police spokesperson Captain Alex Thomson confirmed that authorities confiscated over 26,000 sachets of locally branded liquor, 60 crates of unbranded sachets, several boxes of counterfeit alcohol, and five 1,000-litre ethanol containers used in production. A truck delivering ethanol was also seized.

The illegal distillery, operating from a secluded farm along the R104 road in Umhlali, contained heavy machinery used for distilling, mixing, and packaging liquor. The operation supplied alcohol to multiple businesses in Ballito, including branded beverages.

The arrested suspect faces charges of manufacturing and distributing illicit liquor and is expected to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrates’ Court soon.

ILembe District Police Commissioner, Major General Anthony Gopaul, praised the successful raid, noting its potential impact on crime reduction.

“We hope this operation will contribute to reducing contact crimes and alcohol abuse in the ILembe District, which has been a growing concern,” said Gopaul.

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