Western Cape police have dismantled an illegal liquor-manufacturing operation in Lansdowne, Cape Town, leading to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of counterfeit alcohol products. The breakthrough came during a routine roadblock operation in Khayelitsha on Wednesday afternoon, 3 December, when officers halted a suspicious vehicle, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that led to an illicit factory.
According to police, officers were conducting festive-season enforcement duties along Spine Road in the Lingelethu West policing precinct when they pulled over a silver Hyundai i20. During the inspection, officers found four boxes of Old Buck Gin inside the vehicle. When questioned, the occupants were unable to provide proof of purchase or documentation for the liquor, raising immediate suspicion.
Realising the explanation did not add up, authorities intensified their investigation. Their probe soon led them to a residence in Lansdowne, where they suspected the alcohol might have originated. What they found at the property confirmed their suspicions — a fully operational illegal liquor-producing setup.
Inside the house, officers discovered equipment and materials typically used in counterfeit alcohol production. This included empty bottles, alcohol mixtures of unknown origin, funnels, large containers, and branding labels from well-known commercial liquor brands. Among the labels seized were those of Old Buck, Gordon’s, and Smirnoff — suggesting that the suspects were bottling unregulated alcohol and passing it off as recognised products.
Authorities believe the operation had been running for some time and that the liquor found in the suspects’ vehicle was part of a broader distribution network. The two men, aged 26 and 39, were arrested at the scene. They are expected to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on charges linked to the illegal manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of alcohol.
Police spokespersons emphasised that the discovery formed part of an intensified festive-season safety campaign, aimed at cracking down on illegal activities that tend to spike during December. The illegal alcohol trade is a growing concern, especially during the holiday period when demand for liquor increases. Such operations not only undermine the legal industry and deprive the state of tax revenue but also pose a significant danger to consumers, as counterfeit alcohol is often produced under unhygienic conditions with potentially toxic ingredients.
This incident follows similar discoveries in the Western Cape. In September 2025, another illegal liquor factory was uncovered in Klapmuts, leading to the arrest of seven individuals. Police say these repeated discoveries highlight the scale of illicit liquor production in the province and the need for continued vigilance.
Authorities have urged the public to purchase alcohol from reputable retailers and report any suspicious activity linked to unlicensed liquor production. They also warned that more enforcement operations would be conducted as part of their commitment to public safety during the festive season.
The arrests in Lansdowne mark another significant step in the ongoing battle against counterfeit alcohol operations, and police say they remain determined to shut down all illegal manufacturers endangering communities across the Western Cape.
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