Two male suspects were arrested by Potchefstroom police on Tuesday, 1 February after they were found in possession of illegal cigarettes in Auto Lane in Potchefstroom. The police received a tip-off about a suspicious Isuzu truck in town, where after they responded swiftly and on their arrival searched the truck.
When police questioned him the driver stated that he was transporting toilet paper.
They continued with the search and then found boxes hidden at the back of folded sponges which looked like toilet rolls.
Inside one of the boxes they found illegal cigarettes. With the help of back up, the police managed to confiscate 180 boxes full of cigarettes with an estimated value of R1.3 million which the occupants of the truck could not account for.
The truck driver, Isaac Kamkula (44) and Andrew Nkusa (42) were immediately arrested. According to NW Police spokesperson, Sgt Amogelang Malwetse, they made a brief appearance before the Potchefstroom magistrate court on 2 February to face a charge of possession of illicit cigarettes.
Furthermore, Sgt Malwetse says that they have been remanded in custody pending the formal bail application on Tuesday, 8 February.
