Eastern Cape police apprehend eight KwaZulu-Natal suspects in major illegal alcohol bust
Sealed boxes of Old Buck Dry Gin were confiscated during the police operation, valued at over R1 million.
Image: SAPS
Eight suspects from KwaZulu-Natal who were arrested in the Eastern Cape for the manufacturing of illegal alcohol are expected to face charges linked to the contravention of the Liquor Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said a Crime Intelligence-driven operation with the help of Public Order Policing, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and local police members led to the arrest of eight suspects and confiscation of illegal alcohol manufactured in a local site at Amalinda, outside East London.
Mawisa said information regarding suspicious activities at an Amalinda residence was received by Crime Intelligence members, who then initiated observation. This intelligence was quickly relayed to Public Order Policing members, along with a search warrant.
The large drums that were seized by police during the operation against illegal alcohol production.
Image: SAPS
“On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the team followed an information and on their arrival they found eight suspects aged between 19 and 35, while manufacturing alcohol, and all of them are from KwaZulu-Natal. They were immediately arrested,” Mawisa said.
“During (the) investigation, police discovered manufacturing machines, large drums, and sealed boxes of alcohol with an estimated street value of more than R1 million.”
The sealed boxes were of Old Buck Dry Gin.
Mawisa said the suspects are scheduled to appear before the East London Magistrate’s Court soon.
Eight suspects from KwaZulu-Natal were arrested in the Eastern Cape for illegally manufacturing alcohol.
Image: SAPS
She said SAPS extended gratitude to the community members for sharing valuable information that resulted in the major breakthrough.
Empty gin bottles and other items were seized by police during the operation against illegal alcohol production.
Image: SAPS
The Cape Times last week reported how a recent police operation resulted in the arrest of seven people following the discovery of thousands of litres of ethanol at an illegal alcohol manufacturing facility in Klapmuts in the Cape Winelands.
The five men aged between 25 and 43 and two women, both aged 20, were arrested at a building along the R44 in Klapmuts, where alcohol production equipment was found.
The latest arrests also comes days after the Beer Association of South Africa, together with the Drinks Federation of South Africa and South African Liquor Brand Owners Association, called for stronger enforcement, to shut down criminal networks, clear, coordinated messaging, so that consumers, government, and stakeholders understand the risks and scale of the problem, and consideration of the existence of illicit alternatives as part of policy decision-making and implementation.