Three Chinese nationals have been arrested after police uncovered an illicit liquor operation in Paarl and confiscated alcohol valued at nearly R9.8 million.
The Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Policing Team, working with the Anti-Economic Crimes Task Team, acted on intelligence linking a Stellenbosch liquor outlet owner to a warehouse in Paarl.
Officers monitored the suspect’s movements on Thursday, 4 June, and followed a vehicle to the warehouse.
When police attempted to stop the vehicle after it left the premises, the driver sped off, leading officers on a high-speed chase.
The driver eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot but was later arrested. Two other occupants were detained at the scene.
A search of the vehicle and warehouse uncovered large quantities of illicit liquor. The suspects are expected to appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court once formally charged.
It follows a similar incident in late May, where police seized over R3 million of illicit alcohol in Eerste River. One Chinese national was arrested during the operation.
