HILLCREST police arrested two men who were found in possession of illegal cigarettes worth R1.2-million on Monday, 6 July.
Cst Ndumiso Manqele, Hillcrest SAPS communications officer, said police received information of a truck that was carrying the boxes of illegal cigarettes and members of Hillcrest crime prevention responded on that information.
“Police spotted the truck that was mentioned by the informer on the M13 highway. The truck was searched and 50 bags of cigarettes, 40 boxes and 49 cartons of cigarettes were recovered, covered in steelwool and two men, aged 26 and 30, were arrested,” said Manqele.
A case of possession of illegal cigarettes was opened at Hillcrest police station.
The two men appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 6 July and one man, who was the passenger, was released after his case was withdrawn.
The driver of the truck was remanded into custody and he appeared again in court on Thursday, 9 July for a bail hearing. He was granted bail of R3 000 and will appear again in court on Monday, 27 July.
Hillcrest Station Commander, Col Bafana Ndlovu, commended the members for their quick response in this case. He also advised members of the community to keep a watch out for crime activities in their areas and report them to the police.
