‘Major breakthrough’ as Limpopo cops nab smugglers, seize approximately R1M illicit goods
The men were nabbed during a well-coordinated joint operation conducted by the police and private stakeholders, says the police.
LIMPOPO – The police made a major breakthrough in smuggling in the province after the arrest of two truck drivers and the seizure of nearly R1 million worth of illicit goods. The men were nabbed during a well-coordinated joint operation conducted by the police and private stakeholders.
In a statement Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe says the arrest came after the police received information about two trucks transporting illegal goods through the province. “The Limpopo Highway Patrol unit reacted and the trucks were intercepted and searched on the N1 road near Bela-Bela.”
Ngoepe said that in the first truck the members found 56 boxes containing illicit cigarettes with the estimated street value of R230 000. “A total of 36 boxes of Epiderm cream lotion, valued at R622 000.00 were found in the second truck.”
All illicit goods were confiscated and both truck drivers, aged 38 and 47, were arrested on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes and counterfeit goods. “Both trucks were also confiscated,” Ngoepe added.
This arrest was one of many successful operations which were conducted this past week in the province. Ngoepe explained that a total of 944 suspects were arrested this past week during tactical intelligence-driven joint operations which were conducted by the police in partnership with various stakeholders from the private sector.
“Of the 944 suspects arrested, 192 were charged for the Contravention of the Disaster Management Act. The other suspects face charges such as stock theft, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen properties, perjury, murder, attempted murder, dealing in illicit cigarettes and drugs, burglaries, robberies, illegal mining, sexual offences, assault and Contravention of the Illegal Immigration Act and the National Road Traffic Act.”
The conducted operations also led to the confiscation of five stolen vehicles, 13 knives, 26 dangerous weapons, 797 942ml liquor, 9773 sticks of illicit cigarettes, 241 grams of nyaope, 3372 grams of dagga, five dagga plants. A total of 934 fines relating to the Contravention of the National Road Traffic Act and 94 for the Contravention of the Liquor Act, were also issued. A total of 26 shebeens were closed.
Other successes included the arrest of two men in connection with a business robbery at a mall in Thabazimbi. Ngoepe explained that four armed suspects had earlier the day entered the store, threatened the staff, stole cellphones and memory sticks before they fled the scene in an identified vehicle. Shots were fired in the process.
“Police in Northam were notified and the said vehicle was spotted along the R510 road and was intercepted. During the incident the suspects jumped out and fled into the bushes but where later arrested during a joint effort by the police, the local Air Wing unit, Farm Watch and the private sector.”
They managed to arrest two (02) of the suspects and one (01) of them had suffered gunshot wounds. The stolen cellphones and memory sticks were recovered. The getaway vehicle was also seized and police are still on the hunt for the remaining suspects.
Meanwhile, in Ga-Masemola policing precinct in the Sekhukhune district the police arrested a 21-year-old man who was linked to a business robbery and carjacking incident at Apel Cross. “It is alleged that three suspects hijacked the driver of a VW Polo, forced him into the boot of the vehicle and drove to a tavern in the area where they robbed the business owner at gunpoint.”
Ngoepe said that during the incident the hijacked victim managed to alert residents and was rescued. The suspects were forced to flee on foot. “The community notified the police and one suspect was traced to a residence in Mapoteng section where he was arrested.” A 9mm firearm and a magazine were recovered during the arrest.”
A manhunt for the remaining suspects is still underway, said Ngoepe.
In a separate incident the police arrested a 31-year-old truck driver who was caught transporting illegal materials. Ngoepe explained that members of the LHP stopped the truck on the R71 road in the Driekop policing area. “The trailer was found loaded with unprocessed chrome valued at over R100 000. The suspect was charged with the Contravention of the Illegal Immigration Act.”
The suspects arrested during these various operations will appear before various magistrate’s courts across the province.
