BARBERTON – Barberton police seized 647 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes last Saturday, raising concern about the amount of contraband goods available on the local market.
According to Const Tutu Nkosi, they received an anonymous tip-off about a Toyota Quantum on its way to town on the Kaapmuiden Road, which was transporting the contraband.
“Police were dispatched on the road and quickly noticed a vehicle matching the description by the whistle-blower. Upon searching it they discovered 46 brown boxes, each containing 50 cartons with a street value of R600 000,” said Nkosi.
The driver, identified as Armando Thomas Pele (33), believed to be a Mozambican national currently residing in Block A in Nkomazi, was arrested on the scene.
He appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on charges of contravening customs. He was granted bail of R7 000.
Const Nkosi said the cigarettes were seized by South African Revenue Services (SARS) officials and would be destroyed.
They say counterfeit goods have a negative impact on the country’s economy because they are not taxed and pose a danger to consumers.
Pele will reappear in the same court on October 9.
