Authorities in Gogrial West have arrested three people accused of selling illicit alcohol in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state.
The two women and a man were found vending locally produced alcohol in Mayom-totin market.
Illicit gins and spirits are banned in the state.
There has been a growing public concern over the negative health and social impacts of the high levels of risky alcohol use in Aweil and greater Gogrial.
The banned drinks include; Star-Gin, Master-Gin, and Uganda Waragi, among others.
They said that alcohol is harmful to public health.
Those apprehended in Gogrial West are charged with selling the banned alcohol. They were caught with 5 litres of local alcohol known as ‘Siko’ and a box of Star Gin.
“Siko, Dakaya, and others are banned in Gogrial since 2016. We arrested traders in the market. We poured out the alcohol in their presence so that they cannot complain of being taken. The detainees include two women and one man,” said Major Marco Wol Manut, Police Inspector of Alek North Payam.
He said the accused will be arraigned in court.
At least 7 other people were arrested for selling alcohol in Pinydit village, Gogrial East County last month.
The Area Paramount Chief for Gogrial East County Thiik Riiny Giir supported the crackdown of brewers and sellers of illicit alcohol.
“Let us unite and arrest people who are violating the order and take them to court. They have to stay in prison for one year. When they are released, he or she will regret and avoid selling alcohol illegally.”
In order to sustain and feed their families, many women, and especially in female-headed households, are engaged in production and sale of locally produced alcohol in South Sudan.
Expert say many people consume alcohol as a coping strategy to manage impoverishment, displacement or loss often inflicted by conflict or poverty.