Port Elizabeth - Expensive alcohol destined for Saudi Arabia and hidden in paint containers was confiscated in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, police searched a shipping container with almost 500 Wondercoat Paint containers of 20l each, Netwerk24 reported.
Police spokesperson Constable Mncedi Mbombo said 97 of them contained alcohol.
A source told police it was Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky. Every third container apparently had been filled with alcohol, while the rest had diluted paint in them.
The 1 940l found were the equivalent of more than 2 500 bottles and worth about R1m.
The whisky is probably sold for double the price in Saudi Arabia. Police are investigating charges of fraud and the illegal sale of alcohol.
Rolf Dahler, owner of the Port Elizabeth branch of Wondercoat Paint, said he was flabbergasted.
“Look, all we sell here is paint,” he said.
