There is little doubt that the demand for illegal alcohol is even greater than the illicit market for cigarettes, says Richard Chelin, a researcher at the Enact organised crime project at the Institute for Security Studies. SaturdayStar
Johannesburg - There is little doubt that the demand for illegal alcohol is even greater than the illicit market for cigarettes, says Richard Chelin, a researcher at the Enact organised crime project at the Institute for Security Studies.
Those who are involved in the black market trade include people in the alcohol sector prior to the alcohol ban who are now selling alcohol illegally “trying to make ends meet”. “We have seen it with illegal wildlife products, drugs and cigarettes. Organised crime will more often than not take root once there is a vacuum for any product that is illegal and where great demand exists.”“From people I have spoken to and also from stories on social media, prices have increased exponentially, almost 10 times the normal price.
“There have also been instances whereby individuals who are selling cigarettes are also promoting alcohol.” “Both bans have dramatically boosted the fortunes of criminal syndicates and even seen gangs expanding their activities into these markets as their regular criminal activities have also been disrupted by the lockdown,” said Tebele Luthuli, managing director of Business Against Crime SA.
“This is because they operate underground and because they are charging huge premiums over regular market prices.”
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