Contraband cigarettes seized on N3 highway
A man has been arrested after about 100 boxes of illegal cigarettes that were in transit to Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, from Gauteng, were seized.
It is believed police stopped a Mercedez Benz panel van with NP REGISTRATION
as it was heading down to Durban on the N3 yesterday at about 3.50pm.
Upon searching they found bundles of tissue paper covering the outer side of the panel van to make it look as if they were the only items inside the vehicle. After further search they found about 100 boxes of contraband cigarettes and arrested a 21-year-old man, police said.
The cigarettes are valued at R475 000.
The suspect will appear in the Harrismith Magistrates’ court soon on the charge of possession of illegal property.
Last month, more than R4 million worth of contraband cigarettes were seized in Crystal Park, Benoni, in Gauteng.
“Gauteng flying squad and commercial crimes seized tons of fake cigarettes worth an estimated R4.6 million after receiving a tip-off about a truck travelling from Zimbabwe last night,” said police spokesperson Captain Doniah Mothutsane.
The truck was pulling what appeared to be timber, but there were thousands of cigarette cartons stored inside it.
“Two people aged between 24 and 53 were arrested for possession of illegal cigarettes and contravening the tobacco act,” added Mothutsane.
– Caxton News Service
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