Nearly $300,000 in Counterfeit Alcohol Owned by ‘Ruthless Kingpin’ Discovered in Government Raid
A raid in South Africa uncovered the equivalent of nearly $300,000 in counterfeit liquor. (Photo: Armin Weigel/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
IOL reported on Sunday that counterfeit alcohol with potential to sell for as much as 5 million rand ($267,160) was discovered during a raid that took place in a remote warehouse in Verulam, South Africa. One individual, described as “an elderly man,” was arrested at the scene.
“This ethanol, packaged in drums, was brought from Swaziland and is declared as in-transit ethanol, which is not meant for sale in South Africa,” Government Business Leader and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Siboniso Duma said, according to IOL.
The raid was conducted by KZN Liquor Authority, law enforcement and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. At the scene, the authorities uncovered bottles of Smirnoff and Red L Vodka with bottle caps.
“This is for possible filling with illicit alcohol manufactured on the premises,” Duma explained.
According to IOL, law enforcement received information on March 7 about the illicit alcohol operation from KZN Liquor and Agricultural boards, who provided them the location of the area in Verulam.
Captain Carmen Rhynes formed a task force after receiving the information. Law enforcement descended upon the warehouse, which looked like a “creative shop fitting service,” according to the outlet.
Duma described the owner of the operation as a “ruthless kingpin who is supplying a syndicate behind the manufacturing of fake alcohol products.”
Counterfeit Alcohol — Often a Deadly Operation
In February, 583 people were arrested in Murang’a, Kenya, after a massive counterfeit liquor operation was uncovered. One of the apprehended individuals was an ex-police officer.
In December 2021, Scottish authorities warned against the health risks of accidentally consuming counterfeit alcohol.
“Drinking these types of cheap products presents a huge risk to health, and in the worst case scenario, counterfeit alcohol can cause death,” the Head of Food Standards in Scotland’s Food Crimes and Incidents Unit, Ron McNaughton said.
In June, 14 people died after drinking counterfeit alcohol in Iran and 120 more suffered from alcohol poisoning.
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