Eastern Cape police bust counterfeit liquor ring

Six men have been arrested in Entilini in Stutterheim for allegedly manufacturing and distributing various brands of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

Police made the arrest on Wednesday night confiscating counterfeit liquor estimated to be worth more than R500,000.

Officials received a tip-off about a white Nissan panel van with Gauteng registration number plates in transit from KuGompo City to Stutterheim.

Police then set-up a vehicle checkpoint on the N6 and pulled over the vehicle which had one occupant and was filled with clean empty bottles. 

Preliminary investigations led them to a house in the area where they allegedly found five people producing and packaging various brands of counterfeit alcoholic spirits.

SAPS Majola Nkohli said that they also seized several boxes of illicit alcohol and cash.

“It is believed that the site has been operating as a manufacturing factory from 2025. The six suspects aged between 22 and 36 are due to appear in court soon on charges of contravening the counterfeit goods act 31 of 1997. They will also be charged for contravening the Liquor Act.”