Crime

SAPS, Western Cape Liquor Authority, and SARS Seize Illicit Liquor Valued at R12 Million in Plankenburg, Stellenbosch

PrimeTime News Desk Published 17 July 2026

2 min read

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Stellenbosch, Western Cape – On 16 July 2026, the South African Police Service (SAPS), in collaboration with the Western Cape Liquor Authority and the SARS Customs Unit, executed a coordinated operation that resulted in the seizure of illicit liquor with an estimated value of R12 million at a storage facility in Plankenburg, Stellenbosch.

Acting on specific intelligence provided by the Western Cape Liquor Authority regarding an illicit liquor storage facility in the Stellenbosch area, law enforcement authorities placed the site under surveillance. On Thursday, 16 July 2026, officers conducted an operation at the location, leading to the discovery and recovery of a substantial quantity of illicit liquor.

The SARS Customs Unit took possession of the confiscated liquor as part of the joint effort. SAPS members subsequently opened a case docket to facilitate further investigation into the matter. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in connection with this seizure.

This operation forms part of broader efforts by SAPS and partner agencies to combat the illicit trade in alcohol, which undermines legitimate businesses, deprives the state of revenue, and poses potential health and safety risks to consumers due to unregulated production and distribution standards. Plankenburg, located within the Stellenbosch municipal area in the Cape Winelands, has been the site of this targeted intervention.

The Western Cape has seen multiple similar actions against illicit alcohol activities in recent years, reflecting ongoing intelligence-driven initiatives to disrupt storage, manufacturing, and distribution networks. In this instance, the focus remained on the storage facility identified through inter-agency information sharing.

Authorities have not released additional details regarding the specific types or brands of liquor involved, the exact volume seized, or the operational scale of the facility beyond the confirmed R12 million valuation. Investigations continue, and further updates are expected as the docket progresses.

The public is reminded that dealing in or possessing illicit liquor contravenes relevant provisions of South African law, including the Liquor Act. SAPS encourages anyone with information on similar activities to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application.

This seizure highlights the continued collaboration between SAPS, provincial liquor regulators, and customs authorities in addressing economic crimes and unregulated trade in the Western Cape.