Gauteng Police arrested two Taiwanese nationals following the discovery of an illicit alcohol manufacturing plant worth an estimated R1 million in Westonaria.

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This comes after four illegal immigrants, whom the suspects employed, reported the illegal activities to the police.

According to Provincial Commissioner of the Gauteng Police, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, “Some of the employees allege they were being held against their will while being subjected to excessive working hours under unhealthy conditions.”

Masondo added that some of the alcohol was already packaged for distribution, while the rest was found inside 11 250-litre drums.

Various alcohol substances were being distributed, including whiskey, brandy, gin and vodka (some of which were unknown brands).

“Police also found chemicals that were used during the manufacturing process,” Masondo explained.

The two suspects will appear in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court soon and face charges of dealing in illicit liquor, Contravention of the Liquor Act, and Contravention of the Customs Act.