Three men were yesterday arrested in Westmead, north-west of Durban, for manufacturing illegal spirited liquor at a clandestine distillery.

The trio were caught in the act by Pinetown police, who were working with officers from the eThekwini District Trio Task Team.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda says the operation involved officers from Crime Intelligence, members of the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Board, a courier company and a brewery expert from the affected alcohol brand.

According to Netshiunda, police gathered intelligence about a company that was manufacturing counterfeit liquor, and an operational plan was put in motion.

“During observation, it was uncovered that the gates to the building were always shut, however, the suspects were continuing with their shenanigans behind closed doors. Upon tactically penetrating into the building, police found three men in the act of bottling self-made liquor into bottles branded with the name of a well-known vodka brand,” reports Netshiunda.

Police recovered and seized branded boxes, tons of liquor, a matrix printer and bottle caps, all valued at approximately R400 000.

The three suspects, aged between 29 and 42 years old, are expected to appear in court soon.