Authorities in Awerial County have arrested over ten people for brewing and selling illicit alcohol in Lake’s State.
The Commissioner of Awerial County, Hon. Philip Mawut Garang says this is part of the continuous exercise of crackdown on illicit alcohol that residents produce locally.
The illicit alcohol is locally known as ‘Siko’.
Mawut says the action is an attempt to implement the State customary law that criminalizes the consumption and sale of illicit alcohol.
‘‘Those caught in possession of the brewed alcohol will be charged according to the law because they acted contrary to what the state wants its citizens to do. It is illegal and we will not compromise anyone.” Mawut warned.
He says those arrested will be arraigned in court.
Section 26 of Lakes State Customary Laws illegalizes sale and the consumption of illicit alcohol of which both the consumer and the seller are subject to serve three months Jail term.
In February and March 2023, Drinkers in Awerial had no access to illicit alcohol locally called ‘siko’ and Uganda-distilled Star Gin after the county authorities destroyed over 800 liters of the toxic drink.
The commissioner also burnt 1,000 bottles of Star Gin and brewing apparatus that were confiscated in 2022 during a crackdown on illicit alcohol.