One person has been arrested by the Hawks for dealing in illicit liquor.
Hawks members from the Pietermaritzburg Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit – together with Estcourt SAPS, South African Revenue Services (SARS) and brand holders – made the arrest after the suspect was found with illegal liquor at a warehouse in Estcourt. A quantity of alcohol was seized.
According to the Hawks, they received information from Estcourt police about a hijacked truck that was offloading tons of sugar in a warehouse. Three suspects were arrested and charged for possession of property suspected to be stolen.
Further investigation revealed that in the adjacent site within the warehouse, there was a large quantity of liquor.
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A statement from the Hawks continued that, “Hawks members were notified and they proceeded to the said warehouse. Upon arrival, SARS Customs and brand holders were summoned to the scene. Tests were conducted and it was established that it was counterfeit as well as illicit liquor.
“Some of the illicit liquor that was imported did not meet the South African alcohol standard by volume percentage and is thus not allowed for sale in the Republic. SARS Customs seized those items for duty verification and further investigation purposes.’’
The estimated value of the seized liquor is R1.6 milllion.
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