Yaoundé: Illegal whisky production plant uncovered, suspects apprehended

By Nde Laura

An illegal plant where fake whisky was produced was on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, dismantled by security forces in the Yaoundé 1 municipality, CNA learned.

The suspects were also arrested while they were on their way to distributing the fake products to the local population.

Amongst the items discovered in the plant were two big drums of alcohol equivalent to 500 liters each and 20 liters of an ingredient used in the production of whisky with empty whisky bottles ready to be filled.
According to the Gendarmerie Commander of Yaoundé 1 police station, Ignatius Akoni, about 500 liters of alcohol, at least 350 bottles and cartoons used in fabricating, stamps and stickers usually attached to the bottles in other to convince costumers that they are of good quality were seized.
“ We seized about 459 vignettes used to authenticity the products so that once you see them on the bottles you have the impression that they are real products meanwhile they are just counterfeits,”
He explained.

According to him, the suspect was on his way to distributing the fake products to customers before he was arrested.

“ During one of our routine services, we were informed by reliable sources that a certain Mr. Takam Hilaine was about delivering fake drinks to the black market and we are aware of the destruction this kind of drink can bring to our health,”.

During the festive period when alcohol consumption is on the rise, security officials urged the population to be cautious in other not to fall prey.

They also advised the population to stop selling empty bottles to those parading in neighborhoods in search of them.

The manufacturing plant was sealed while the suspect was taken into police custody awaiting trial.