JOHOR BARU: Police have thwarted an illegal alcohol-processing ring and seized more than RM3mil in counterfeit alcohol and various equipment.
Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said two locals and four foreigners were arrested during a raid at the alcohol-processing centre set up in a double-storey house in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah here at 8.10am on Monday (Aug 2).
“We found them in the midst of their illegal activities, with the house being loaded with barrels of mother liquor that they used to mix with flavours to produce counterfeit alcohol of various brands.
“We believe the group has been operating there for five months to supply counterfeit alcohol to the local market at a much lower price.
“They even had fake Customs Department seals ready (for the alcohol bottles),” he said at a press conference on Tuesday (Aug 3).
Along with the arrests, police seized RM2.14mil of alcohol with tax amounting to RM870,462 as well as a lorry packed with cartons of counterfeit alcohol.