Johannesburg- The South African Revenue Services (SARS) officials and South African police members have seized R15 million worth of duty-free alcohol from a warehouse in Mpumalanga .
According to a SARS statement, a year-long investigation revealed the illicit alcohol was being sold back onto the market.
“SARS and police officials also found equipment to alter the original products. The bottles and boxes in which they are transported indicate that the product is duty-free and therefore destined for the foreign market,” said Sars.
The Sars officials added that the smugglers of these products removed the labels from the bottles and placed them in some cases replacing the caps of the bottles and removing the lot codes from the boxes.
Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the smugglers of illicit liquor were putting a strain on the local industry when Covid-19 restrictions were a significant impediment to the industry.
“Such criminal action will not be tolerated but dealt with, and everyone involved will be brought to book. Sars has the mandate to combat illicit trade and any criminal activities which suppress the industry,” said Sars.
“Therefore, I want to acknowledge and thank the investigators for their determination and persistence in this matter.
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