Police arrest five in Thembalethu during clamp-down operations at unlicensed liquor outlets

Concerted efforts to clamp down on unlicensed liquor outlets resulted in the arrest of four men and one woman after police confiscated various brands of liquor during crime combatting operations conducted at Thembalethu in George over the past weekend.

These operations which commenced on Thursday, 11 January were conducted after police received information about illicit activities at various premises operating over weekends. The information was operationalised with the deployment of members attached to the Garden Route District Crime Combatting Team, Thembalethu Crime Prevention Unit and George police. A total of five unlicensed premises were raided at New Valley and Robben Island in Zone 06, Thembalethu (George). The police confiscated over 350 litres of liquor and the suspects were arrested on a charge of selling liquor without a license each.

The suspects aged between 23 and 41 remain in police custody. They will appear in the Thembalethu Magistrates’ court once charged.

Drugs and liquor are considered to be serious and violent crime generators in this area, especially over weekends. These arrests and confiscations are in line with the policing approach of the Western Cape. Similar operations will be conducted with the ultimate aim to close down unlicensed liquor premises operating as shebeens and taverns.