Two early morning raids by the Police resulted in the arrest of eight people and the seizure of over 750 liters of Kwaso. The Police also confiscated manufacturing equipment in one of the largest illegal alcohol busts in recent years.
The seized kwaso could have made over 1500 individual bottles and has an estimated street value of SBD$26,000.Provincial Police Commander for Honiara City, Superintendent Philip Kaukui, said that the successful operations have stopped a large amount of dangerous alcohol being available on the street.
"The seizure of over 750 liters of kwaso is a major step forward in our effort to reduce alcohol related crime. The success of the operation means that this illegal alcohol will not make its way into the markets and street stalls in Honiara.
"Stopping the kwaso from being sold on the street means that any associated crimes will not occur. This is good news for the community.
"A significant amount of kwaso manufacturing tools and equipment were also seized as part of the operations. This will make it harder for kwaso to be produced in the future, so the achievements of the officers involved in this operation are even more pleasing," he said.
The eight suspects remain in police custody and are being interviewed today in relation to the manufacturing of kwaso.
It is understood that formal charges will be laid in the coming days.