THE start of December is off to a busy start for police after cops bust down an illicit alcohol plant in Lansdowne where fake dop is being manufactured.
Members of the Lingelethu West polisiestasie conducted a roadblock on Spine Road in Khayelitsha on Wednesday, where they stopped and searched a silver Hyundai I20 and found four boxes containing Old Buck Gin to which the mense of the vehicle could not give account for.
The pote were then led to a location in Lansdowne where they discovered an illegal dop manufacturing plant.
On the premises, they found manufacturing equipment and different alcohol branding stickers such as Smirnoff 1818, Old Buck and Gordon’s Liquor Dry Gin and unknown liquids.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said two suspects aged 26 and 39 have been arrested on charges of illegal manufacturing and distributing liquor.
Twigg reported: “Safer festive season operations in the Lingelethu West policing precinct on Wednesday, 03 December 2025, resulted in the confiscation of illicit liquor in Spine Road, and the discovery of an illegal manufacturing plant in Lansdowne.
“Further investigation led the members to a premises in Lansdowne where they found an illegal alcohol manufacturing plant and manufacturing equipment, an assortment of alcohol branding stickers and unknown liquids.
“The two suspects are facing charges for the illegal manufacturing and distributing liquor. They will appear in the Khayelitsha magistrate’s court once they have been charged.”\
However, this is not the first rodeo for cops this week, as cops seized illicit goods worth R90 000 on Tuesday in Stellenbosch.
They confiscated a vrag items, including cellphone covers, board and card games, personal lubricant, hair products, skoene polish and PVC glue.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirms that cops are intensifying efforts to crack down on illicit trade across the Western Cape.
Gwala reported: “The increase of counterfeit goods is a serious threat to South Africa’s economic stability and consumer safety.
“Not only does it deprive the state of revenue, but it also undermines legitimate businesses and compromises public safety.”
“The Western Cape Counterfeit Goods Unit remains resolute in the fight against the distribution of these goods.
"On Tuesday 2 December 2025, members seized illicit goods with an estimated street value of R90 000 in the Boland district of Stellenbosch.
“Amongst these products were cell phone covers, tobacco paper, board games, card games, shoe polish, lubricant, hair-care products, and PVC glue.
"This operation forms part of a broader crackdown on illicit trade across the province as we intensify our efforts to disrupt and dismantle networks involved in the distribution of counterfeit goods.”