Police shut down an illicit moonshine lab operating on a smallholding in Ogies, just outside of Middelburg, arresting seven undocumented foreign nationals.
The arrests followed information from concerned residents reporting suspicious activity on a local smallholding.
Ogies SAPS investigated the report, where officers found unlabelled liquor, laboratory brewing and bottling equipment, chemicals, packaging material and rolls of labels marked “B&J”, believed to be linked to the operation.
The seven suspects face charges under the Liquor Act in connection with the alleged illicit liquor production.
Investigators later discovered that the suspects are also undocumented foreign nationals. They now face charges under the Immigration Act too.
Colonel Mavela Masondo said the investigation is ongoing.
Police are searching for the owner of the property where the alleged moonshine lab was busted.
The value of the seized liquor and equipment is still being determined, but it is believed to be a significant amount.
The undocumented suspects are expected to appear in the Ogies Magistrate’s Court next week.
“Tip-offs and reports from residents help SAPS tackle crime.” Colonel Masondo said.
