Two smugglers in the Northern Cape have been caught by the police on July 27. They were in possession of large amount of booze in the back of their van. The suspects came to the police’s notice after they were seen driving during the hours of curfew. The pair have since been arrested and charged for contravening the National Disaster Act, after defying the government’s alcohol ban. They were made to appear before Upington Magistrate’s Court, before they were released on bail. They were caught with hundreds of wine bottles, boxes of brandy, and crates of spiced rum. The police estimate that 354,600ml of liquor was on board, totaling more than 709 pints. SAPS issued a statement on the matter earlier on Wednesday, revealing how they busted the smugglers:
“On Monday evening 27 July 2020 at about 21:15, SAPS members of the ZFM District COVID 19 team were busy with patrols in front of the Harry Surtie Hospital in Upington when they noticed what appeared to be a white Isuzu courier van driving over the bridge leading to Paballelo and Dakota Weg locations.”
“Seeing that it was already past the curfew time, they pursued the vehicle to inquire their reason for traveling this late. They managed to pull the vehicle off and upon investigation, they discovered dozens of boxes filled with liquor in the back of the van.” “Two males were arrested and charged for Contravention of the National Disaster Management Act Regulations, for the transportation of liquor and failure to confine themselves to their residents during the curfew time. Both the alcohol amounting to 354,600ml and the Isuzu van was confiscated and booked in.”
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It turns out that this was a major operation for the smugglers to beat the alcohol ban but they were defeated by the SAPS due to their lack of sense of timing.