Dealer of counterfeit cigarettes sentenced
Police followed a tip-off that led to the discovery and confiscation of illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of over R150 000.
A 47-year-old man was fined R15 000 or 12 months imprisonment, suspended for five years, at the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court last week for possession of illicit cigarettes.
The local police received a tip-off of a white Toyota bakkie that was parked in the Tzaneen industrial area loaded with illicit cigarettes. They searched the bakkie and seized about 5350 cartoons of Express Royal cigarettes with an estimated market value of R152 320.
Further investigations by the Hawks led to the arrest of Zafer Villah Khan and a co-accused. The case against the second accused was later withdrawn.
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Khan was out on R5 000 bail. Limpopo Hawks provincial head, Maj Gen Thobeka Jozi has welcomed the conviction.
“Some criminals regard it as not a serious offence. The seizure and sentence send out a message to those operating illegally that it will not be tolerated. Our message is clear, watch out, you will
be arrested,” said Jozi.
Counterfeit or illegal goods can be reported to SAPS on 086 00 10111 or via the MySAPSApp. All information will be treated with confidence and callers may remain anonymous.
