Foreign nationals arrested on the N1 with illicit cigarettes worth R1.7m
A search for the remaining suspects continues after the men abandoned the vehicles they were travelling in and ran on foot towards nearby farms.
POLOKWANE – Two foreign nationals, aged 37 and 45-years-old, will appear before the Makhado Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (April 26) on charges of dealing in illicit cigarettes and contravention of the Illegal Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the men were arrested by the provincial tracking team in the early hours of this morning (April 25) along the N1 near Louis Trichardt.
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“Illicit cigarettes worth R1.7m were recovered during the arrest,” he said.
Ledwaba said the suspects were intercepted following a tip-off about a group of men travelling in convoy who were transporting illicit cigarettes from Zimbabwe to South Africa.
“The four vehicles were spotted driving in a convoy and police tried to stop them but they sped off. A car chase ensued and the suspects abondened the vehicles and ran on foot towards the nearby farms.”
Ledwaba added that both arrested men are foreign nationals who are in the country illegally. “The four vehicles, two SUV’s, a Toyota Quantum and a Nissan Hardbody were searched and 130 boxes containing illicit cigarettes worth R1,7 million was confiscated.”
A search for the remaining suspects continues and anyone with information that can lead to their arrest should contact Detective Sergeant Phaladi Makola on 082 749 2233, Lieutenant Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501, the crime stop number 08600 10111 or the nearest police station.
