A 45-year-old man was arrested in Hekpoort, West Rand District, Gauteng, allegedly for operating an illegal distillery and being in possession of R570,000 cash notes, as well as machinery, and alcohol estimated to be worth R20 million.
The suspect was nabbed on July 24, during a joint operation carried out by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department JMPD Tactical Response Unit and the South African Police Service Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation DPCI.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said that the officers received a tip-off about a distillery on a plot in Hekpoort and went to the site to carry out an operation.
Upon arrival at the premises, officers were met by a 45-year-old man who claimed to be the manager and shareholder of the business, he said.
He said following that, the officers conducted an additional search of the property and uncovered a sophisticated operation that was producing whiskey, brandy, gin, and vodka, complete with counterfeit labels and packaging.
