Two men arrested for illicit cigarette trade and immigration violations
The apprehensions were for possessing illicit cigarettes and breaching immigration laws.
The EMPD’s Community Liaison Unit, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, arrested two Pakistani nationals aged 37 and 43 in Thembisa on the morning of January 12.
The apprehensions were for possessing illicit cigarettes and breaching immigration laws.
EMPD Specialised Services officers, acting on information received during routine law enforcement operations, visited a house in the Moriting Section of Thembisa.
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On arrival, they found the two men and explained the purpose of their visit.
After searching the premises with the men’s consent, they found four cartons of Remington Gold cigarettes, two cartons of Sharp cigarettes and 39 loose packets of mixed brands.
The officers confiscated the illicit cigarettes and asked for the duo’s passports, which they failed to produce.
During questioning, one reportedly tried to bribe the officers with R500 cash to avoid arrest.
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The officers took both men into custody and escorted them to a nearby police station, where they logged the cigarettes and cash as evidence.
The suspects face charges of possession of illicit cigarettes, bribery and violations of the Immigration Act.
They will soon appear in the Thembisa Magistrate’s Court.
