Joburg cops arrest man found with R1m of contraband cigarettes
The suspect allegedly attempted to bribe officers, offering them a plastic bag full of money.
Picture for illustration. Heaps of cigarettes found in a suspicious vehicle. Image: Facebook/Intelligence Bureau
A 43-year-old man was arrested in Meyerton, Gauteng, on Monday after being found in possession of a large stash of illegal cigarettes valued at R1 million.
According to Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Wayne Minnaar, officers responded to a tip-off about a hefty supply of contraband cigarettes being stored on a property.
As JMPD officers and police arrived on the scene, the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe officers, offering them a plastic bag full of money.
“The officers immediately arrested the suspect for possession of illegal cigarettes, as well as for bribery,” Minnaar said in a statement.
“When officers opened the bag with which the suspect wanted to bribe them, they counted R29,900, and the illegal cigarettes [that were seized] was valued at approximately R1 million.”
The suspect was expected to appear in court soon.
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