Cape Town – Police in the Western Cape have arrested two men linked to an illegal alcohol manufacturing operation in Uitzicht after officers stumbled upon the illicit plant while searching for an unlicensed firearm.
According to provincial police, members of the Kraaifontein Crime Intelligence Unit, assisted by Durbanville SAPS, conducted a search at a residence in Antilope Street on Tuesday evening while following up information about a person allegedly in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Although the firearm was not found, officers discovered large quantities of alcohol and machinery used for the illegal manufacture of alcohol, indicating that the operation was active at the time of the raid.
#sapsWC Members of Kraaifontein Crime Intelligence were on a mission to recover an unlicensed firearm, when they stumbled upon an illegal alcohol manufacturing plant in Antilope Street, Uitzicht.
The members had roped in Durbanville SAPS members to assist in finding a person of… pic.twitter.com/i9T5M77m2k
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 28, 2026
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the arrests, saying: “During the search, members discovered large quantities of alcohol and machinery used to manufacture alcohol illegally.”
Police said the two suspects, foreign nationals aged 23 and 24, were immediately taken into custody and face charges related to the illegal manufacturing of alcohol.
“The suspects will appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court once formally charged,” Gwala said.
Authorities have since confiscated the alcohol and equipment found at the premises as part of ongoing investigations. Further enquiries are under way to determine whether additional suspects may be linked to the operation.
The arrests form part of ongoing police efforts to clamp down on illegal alcohol production and related criminal activity in the Western Cape.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
