Several West Rand liquor outlets identified for stocking fake alcohol from illegal manufacturing facility

JOHANNESBURG - Several liquor outlets have been identified for stocking fake alcohol from an illegal manufacturing facility in Westonaria, on the West Rand.

On Thursday morning, Gauteng police arrested nine foreign nationals when they uncovered a warehouse where the manufacturing, bottling and distribution of fake popular alcohol brands was taking place.

Brands including Smirnoff vodka, J&B whiskey and Klipdrift brandy were being illegally produced at the warehouse.

The fake alcohol manufacturing facility uncovered on Thursday has an estimated value of R1 million.

Gauteng police commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, said they had identified at least three liquor outlets that were being supplied with fake alcohol.

"There are quite a number of liquor outlets that we are looking at which might have received the distribution of this illegal trade."

He said that nine foreign nationals were arrested on scene.

"We are further taking this matter to the NPA so we can do a prosecutorial-led investigation. We are going to be charging these people with illegal manufacturing and also employing illegal immigrants."

Among those arrested are two Taiwanese, six Malawian and one Mozambican national.