Authorities in Western Bahr el Ghazal state said Tuesday they had intercepted and expelled three trucks loaded with a banned type of alcoholic gin.
This follows last month’s decision by the State Council of Ministers and the State Security Committee to prohibit the production and sale of harmful alcoholic beverages.
Security forces stopped the trucks, carrying more than 4,000 cartons of alcohol, near Eastern Bank, less than a kilometer from Wau along the Wau-Juba Road, as they headed toward the town.
At a news briefing Tuesday evening, State Minister of Cabinet Affairs Arkangjelo Anyar Anyar said the operation demonstrated the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban to protect public health.
“In response to the recent order from the Council of Ministers and the Security Committee banning gin alcoholic drinks in Western Bahr el Ghazal, the governor and security officials acted within the municipality and successfully seized these banned products,” Anyar said.
“We allow traders to import goods freely, but they must not bring in harmful alcohol. This seizure involved three trucks carrying more than 4,000 cartons,” he added.
Anyar said the trucks had been escorted out of the state as an initial step in enforcing the ban. “Their goods will not be permitted for consumption in Western Bahr el Ghazal,” he stated.
He warned traders and residents that anyone caught smuggling prohibited goods would face legal consequences and urged the public to report violations to authorities.