The Central Police Cluster have on Tuesday warned that they would come down hard on people who illegally trade in liquor and drugs in the cluster area.
Police made the statement after arresting four people and confiscating liquor worth approximately R70 000 during a major police joint operation in the Central Police Cluster area on Sunday.
The Central Police Cluster consists of eight police stations – Pretoria Central, Pretoria West, Wierdabrug, Woonderboom Poort, Atteridgeville, Erasmia, Hercules and Laudium.
Three of the four suspects were arrested for illegally dealing in liquor while another one was nabbed for being in the possession of dagga.
Police closed down a supermarket and two shebeens that were illegally selling liquor in Atteridgeville.
They also conducted stop-and-search exercise in various crime hot spots to root out criminals and their illegal activities.
Police spokesperson, Captain Bonginkosi Msimango, said illegally selling liquor promoted crime and destroyed the future of children.
He said the culprits did not obey any law. They sell liquor to under age people, operate unregulated hours and allow criminal activities in their liquor outlets.
“We will not be lenient with culprits. They will have to face the law,” Msimango said.
Msimango explained that most illegal liquor outlets were places where drug dealers operate.
Various crimes take place in illegal shebeens and owners do not account for it as they are law-breakers themselves.
