An alleged gang boss has been caught trying to smokkel vodka and passing it off as hand sanitiser.
The man was arrested over the weekend at his council flat in Ottery.
According to a source, the suspect, who is the alleged leader of the Yuru Cats gang, found a clever way to conceal his illegal dop by pouring it in a 25-litre canister labelled as sanitiser, but he failed to outsmart Grassy Park cops who smelled that something was off.
Officers raided the headquarters of the Yuru Cats gang in Pieter Court on Sunday after they received a tip-off about the sale of dop from his home.
GEVANG: Alleged Yuru Cats gang boss arrested
The sale of alcohol is illegal during the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown.
“He is a high-flyer and is also a drug dealer,” says a well-placed source.
“He was suspected of selling alcohol from Pieter Court and some residents reported him.
“When the police got to his flat, they found large canisters marked hand sanitiser.
“The slim cops opened the canisters and could smell it was vodka and he was arrested.”
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirms a 30-year-old man was arrested on charges of dealing in liquor without a valid licence and for contravening the Disaster Management Act.
“He was caught selling vodka at his residence in Pieter Court, Ottery. SAPS members of Grassy Park reacted to information that the suspect was dealing in liquor, which was concealed as hand sanitiser in 25 litre containers,” says Traut.
SLIM: Ou took ‘70% alcohol- based sanitiser’ seriously by filling a canister with dop
Grassy Park Community Police Forum (CPF) spokesperson Philip Bam says as cops were arresting the man, some residents hurled abuse at the officers.
“The three constables faced a large crowd who hurled abuse and threatened them with violence but still managed to continue with the arrest,” says Bam.
“While some residents want to work with police, there are those who don’t.
“We call on people to remember that the officers reacted to information provided by the community and to let them do their work.”
Bam says they hope the police will find the gangster’s dop supplier.
BOOZY BUST: Residents piemped the suspect living in Pieter Court, Ottery
“We are happy with this arrest, but we hope the investigation will shed light on who supplied them with so much alcohol that they were obviously selling illegally.
“We also hope that the criminal justice system won’t drop the community and ensure justice in this case.
“Because of lockdown regulations, the illegal sale of alcohol remains a crime and fuels crime and violence so we hope they will take action,” adds Bam.