Lusaka City Council (LCC) has shut down an illegal liquor distribution outlet operating in Chilenje for trading in unlicensed and uncertified alcohol.
In a joint operation with the State Police, the Council Police discovered that the premises were stockpiling illicit liquor intended for supply to bars, nightclubs, and liquor shops across the city.
Council Public Relations Manager Chola Mwamba, said in a statement that the operators were also found rebranding and relabeling expired alcohol, as well as packaging it in unsafe materials, posing serious health risks to consumers.
“This unscrupulous operator was found to be stockpiling illicit liquor with the intention of supplying it to various liquor shops, bars, and nightclubs in the city, in contravention of the Liquor Licensing Act No 20 of 2011.
During the exercise, it was discovered that the illegal liquor warehouse was rebranding, relabeling expired alcohol, and also packaging it in incorrect materials, thereby putting consumers’ lives at risk,” Ms. Mwamba said.
She stated that the Council will intensify such operations in other parts of Lusaka to curb the illegal sale of alcohol.
Ms. Mwamba warned that anyone found engaging in similar activities will face the full force of the law.
“The Lusaka City Council will extend its operations to other areas of the city, and anyone found engaging in illegal activities such as this will face the full force of the law,” she added.
She emphasized that the Council remains committed to upholding public safety and enforcing the Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011 to ensure lawful business conduct within the city.
