Car smuggling syndicate leads to 8 000 illegal cigarettes confiscated by Lim Police
A 38-year-old suspect was arrested in Mankweng following a high speed chase
LIMPOPO – A crime intelligence driven operation comprising of members of the Musina SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), followed up on information which led them to the discovery of a BMW X3 in the middle of the Limpopo River, says police spokesperson Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
The suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled to the other side of the river and the vehicle was then retrieved and towed back to South Africa.
The operation then expanded to other areas of Musina after information that there were cigarette smugglers using three vehicles.
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“One of the vehicles sped off from the Baobab toll gate and was found abandoned along the Waterpoort Road after an intense car chase. The other vehicle was cornered at Sebayeng next to Turfloop in the Mankweng Cluster, outside Polokwane. A 38-year-old suspect was subsequently arrested and illegal cigarettes confiscated,” he explained.
During the operation, a VW Polo and a Toyota Etios were confiscated.
“8 831 Pacific blue cigarettes straight boxes and 714 cartons of illegal cigarettes (estimated at R 158 215) were retrieved from these vehicles,” Ngoepe said.
Police are still tracing the other suspects involved in these incidents and police investigations into the ownership of the recovered vehicles are still unfolding.
The arrested suspect will appear before the Mankweng Magistrates Court, soon.
Anyone with information which can lead to the arrest of the suspects, may contact Brigadier James Espach at 082 576 0743; the nearest police station; the crime stop toll free number on 0860010111 or the sms crime line 32211.
