BRACKENDOWNS- Brackendowns police confiscated illegal tobacco worth approximately R3-million and arrested three suspects, on Tuesday, July 21.
The owner of the truck, the driver and one crew member, all from Zimbabwe, are under arrest and in the holding cells at Brackendowns SAPS, for illegal possession of raw tobacco.
At about 05:30 on July 21, a truck and white Mercedes Benz arrived at the Brackendowns Police Station. The driver of the truck alleged that the Merceds Benz had been following him from Midrand, and he was sure it wanted to hijack him.
The owner of the truck arrived a short while later and the police ordered him to open the truck so they could inspect the contents.
After the owner agreed to this, big boxes of raw tobacco, which had been brought in from Zimbabwe, were found under the tarpaulin. The owner and the other two suspects were taken into custody.
SARS arrived at the station later that afternoon and also laid charges of illegal entry into South Africa, tax evasion, chart exports and diversion of exigible goods according to section 80 of Act 91 of 1994.
It was discovered that the tobacco was going to be illegally exported to Singapore before the Brackendowns police foiled the plans.
Detective Warrent Officer Maxam says further investigations will reveal if there is anything else hidden among the boxes. The three suspects are soon to appear in the Palmridge magistrates court.
