Police launch manhunt for cigarette smugglers
A manhunt is underway to find suspects who sped off in a car loaded with illicit cigarettes.
The incident occurred after a Volvo XC90 skipped the traffic lights on the R71 in Tzaneen’s CBD. According to a police statement, the grey SUV attracted the attention of the Giyani Flying Squad when it crossed the red traffic lights without stopping.
They notified the police on the ground; however, the SUV apparently sped off when it saw the police. This resulted in police chasing the vehicle. The suspects allegedly jumped from the moving vehicle and fled into the bushes on foot.
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Upon inspection of the vehicle, the police discovered that it was loaded with 250 Remington Gold illicit cigarettes, and 173 loose filters with a street value of R28 000. Together with cigarettes, it holds an estimated value of about R280 000. The value of the vehicle is estimated to be about R100 000.
The provincial police commissioner in Limpopo, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has applauded members of the police for the work that resulted in the confiscation of cigarettes. Further investigations are underway. Anyone with information that can assist the police, can contact Sgt Knowledge Mangulani on 078 073 4641.
