WESTERN CAPE – A massive Stellenbosch illicit liquor bust has resulted in the confiscation of illegal alcohol valued at R12 million, following a highly coordinated intervention by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the SARS Customs Unit, and the Western Cape Liquor Authority. The operation successfully targeted a clandestine storage facility in Plankenburg, delivering a significant blow to the regional counterfeit goods trade.
The operation was initiated after the Western Cape Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Team received credible intelligence from the Western Cape Liquor Authority regarding an illicit liquor storage facility operating in the area. Following a period of strategic surveillance, law enforcement members executed a raid on the premises on Thursday, 16 July 2026, uncovering a massive cache of untaxed and illegal beverages.
According to a SAPS spokesperson, this joint effort highlights the ongoing commitment of local authorities to dismantle underground networks that evade regulatory compliance, threaten public safety, and deprive the state of vital revenue.
Following the successful raid, the SARS Customs Unit formally took custody of the confiscated R12 million haul. SAPS has since opened a criminal case docket to trace the supply chain and organizers behind the operation. Authorities confirmed that while the facility has been shut down and the goods secured, no arrests have been made at this stage as the investigation remains highly active.