The police in Limpopo have intensified operations to curb the smuggling of and trade of illicit cigarettes. These operations have in the last week led to the apprehension of 22 people and the confiscation of more than R2 million worth of illicit cigarettes.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo says operations were conducted across several policing areas since Monday, 8 June to Tuesday 16, June across several policing areas.
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The operations were conducted by members of Crime Intelligence Units, Crime Prevention Units, Dog Units (K9) with the assistance from Community Policing Forums.
Mojapelo says an assortment of of illicit cigarettes including Remington Gold, Chelsea, Royal Express and Premium worth R2 250 000 were confiscated within the Lephalale, Musina, Modimolle, Tshilwavhusikhu, Mphephu, Makhado and Tuinplaas policing areas, respectively.
The arrests were affected during patrols and roadblocks, Mojapelo added. In Mphephu the police arrested three foreign nationals, aged 36 and 39, and confiscated illicit cigarettes worth about R700 000 at Dzanani section.
Meanwhile in Lephalale, the police on Friday, 12 June arrested two people, aged 26 and 30 for the possession of illicit cigarettes after they were stopped on the R518 road between Lephalale and Marken. Their vehicle was searched and a full load of illicit cigarettes recovered.
The two accused were arrested, the cigarettes confiscated and their vehicle seized. Some of the accused have already appeared in their respective local magistrate courts, while police investigations still continue.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Maj Genl Jan Scheepers commended the police for their vigilance and urged the members to turn the tide against the smuggling and trade in illicit cigarettes in the province.
Police investigations are continuing.
