Northern Bahr el Ghazal destroys large cache of illicit alcohol

AWEIL – Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state have destroyed a massive quantity of illicit alcohol, including approximately 160,015 sacks and 10,000 bottles of various gin brands.

The banned substances include Star Gin, Disco Gin, X5 Gin, Boss Gin, Zebra Gin, Royal Life Gin, Royal Special Gin, Royal Gin, Master Gin, Fun See Gin, U.G Gin, and Best Gin.

State Minister of Information Garang Zachariah Lual said speaking to the media yesterday that the government banned the substances.

“We have to come here to burn these things, the government of NBGS since 2021 has been passing resolutions and the town mayor has passed the resolution that these things shouldn’t be used in NBGS,” he said.

“People have still been smuggling these things to NBGS and this is why we are here today to burn – so that the importers know that these stuff are burn and banned,” he added.

Lual warned of strong punishment for any further attempts to import such alcohol into the state.

“Anybody who is going to import these stuff to NBGS, he is going to get strong punishment. There are going to measures for anyone who is going to try to bring these thing to Aweil,” he said.

He further claimed the national government plans to shut down gin factories in Juba.

“I think, the government of South Sudan is in process of shutting down those factories and you know as state we are independent we make our laws – some states may decide to use them at their state,” he stated.

Aweil Mayor Zachariah Dut Mou explained that 6,000 cartons of the harmful spirit were initially confiscated. Owners were given the opportunity to reclaim their goods, and some did so.

“So, we decided to burn the remaining gins that their owners did not want to come and pick, and we have burnt it today,” Mou said. He emphasized that this action should serve as a strong warning to illicit traders.

An Eritrean trader representing Aweil merchants confirmed the ban on all types of gin and attributed the problem to smugglers, not legitimate traders. He urged authorities to address the smugglers.

This action follows a July 2022 resolution by the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Council of Ministries banning alcohol and other activities.