Illicit cigarettes worth millions stashed inside petrol tanker
The cigarettes were hidden in a specially designed compartment.
LIMPOPO – Two foreign nationals were arrested and charged for smuggling illicit cigarettes after they were stopped at the Beitbridge Border Post on Monday, 20 July.
This, after the duo were found transporting illicit cigarettes worth just over R6 million.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo explained that police members were busy with routine duties at the border post when they stopped the truck. The tanker was found to be sealed and a search revealed 523 master boxes containing thousands of cartons of illicit cigarettes.
The boxes were found in a specially made hidden compartment in the tanker.
The two men, aged 36 and 44, will appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 22 July.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba commended officers and all other role players for their alertness and dedication in finding the cigarettes and arresting the suspects.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/437150/polokwane-shop-owner-arrested-while-loading-illicit-cigarettes/
This arrest comes days after a 27-year-old man pleaded guilty on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a R17 000 fine by a Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court.
John Setjo was one of four men arrested within the Alldays policing area in June for transporting illicit cigarettes from a farm near the Pontdrift border post, destined for Rustenburg in North West.
The 30 boxes of cigarettes were found hidden in between crates of tomatoes. The case against one of the accused has since been withdrawn, while police investigations into the two other accused are ongoing.
