Poison In A Bottle: Fake Smirnoff Lab Busted In Umlazi

Ethanol mixed with water was allegedly bottled as Smirnoff at an illegal liquor manufacturing site in Linda Mnomiya, Umlazi, south of Durban.

Durban Metro Police spokesperson Col Boysie Zungu said an intelligence-driven operation led officers to the property on Tuesday.

“The operation revealed individuals were allegedly mixing ethanol with water and bottling it as Smirnoff for sale to the public. Upon arrival at the premises, officers caught the main target in the act of mixing the components used to manufacture counterfeit liquor,” he said.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Tony Forbes ‘Pleased’ As AKA’s Alleged Killers Dragged Back To SA In Shackles

Toxic Vodka (Smirnoff) Factory Uncovered

Inside the house, police discovered a chilling scene — rows of containers filled with ethanol, packaging materials, and counterfeit labels ready to hit the streets.

Five 25-litre containers of pure ethanol, four 5-litre containers, six 750ml bottles of diluted ethanol falsely branded as Smirnoff, and seven empty Smirnoff bottles were confiscated. Officers also seized bottle caps, packaging, and mixing equipment.

Zungu said the estimated value of the seized items was R73,200.

Liquor Crackdown Gains Momentum

The raid was part of a broader police effort to clamp down on counterfeit liquor and illegal manufacturing operations across KwaZulu-Natal.

“The Durban Metro Police drug team, together with Counter Narcotics KZN, the Hawks in Port Shepstone, and the SAPS Economic Infrastructure Task Team, dismantled the operation,” said Zungu.

He praised the officers involved for their swift action, saying, “Well done to all units involved for their excellent teamwork and commitment in removing illegal and harmful substances from our communities.”

Authorities have since warned the public to be cautious when purchasing branded alcohol, as fake products continue to pose a serious risk to consumers’ health.