KZN man arrested for possession of illegal cigarettes
A tip-off has led to the arrest of a 31-year-old man from Empangeni, in KwaZulu-Natal for possessing and dealing in illicit cigarettes, as 849 boxes were seized earlier today.
The Crime Intelligence Unit and the Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team pulled out two vehicles travelling along N1 North and recovered a total of 1 668 boxes of illegal cigarettes.
It is believed the consignment was en route to Johannesburg and was divided and loaded separately into two vehicles, with one Sedan (Toyota Corolla) carrying 849 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes and the other (a BMW) carrying 819 boxes of the same type of cigarettes, said Captain Ntobeng Phala.
Upon being pulled out, the BMW driver sped off, fleeing from police. More police were mobilised, and a chase ensued, added Phala.
The BMW driver then stopped his car in the middle of the road, abandoned the vehicle and ran into the bushes, said Phala.
The arrested man will appear in the Polokwane Magistrates` Court soon on charges of possession of illegal cigarettes and dealing thereof.
In a separate incident, a man was arrested after about 100 boxes of illegal cigarettes that were in transit to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal were seized last month.
It is believed police stopped a Mercedez Benz panel van with NP registration as it was heading down to Durban on the N3 at about 3.50pm.
Upon searching, police 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.
The cigarettes are valued at R475 000.
– Caxton News Service
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