LIMPOPO – The Musina Regional Court on Monday, 20 July sentenced the 33-year-old Desta Andualem for smuggling illicit cigarettes worth more than R200 000.

The court ordered Andualem to pay a R600 000 fine or serve a sentence of five years in prison, according to a statement by Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.

Andualem, a foreign national, was arrested earlier this year.

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“The police were conducting operations along the N1 north of Musina on 31 May when a white Ford Ranger driven by the convict approached. The vehicle was searched and 20 master boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes, valued at R266 940, were found loaded on the back,” Mojapelo explained.

The heavy sentence has been welcomed by the Provincial Commissioner of SAPS, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba.

“This sentence must send a clear message to all smugglers, that the police will stop at nothing when fighting this scourge. The speed in which this case was handled shows the determination of our justice system to stamp out the smuggling of illicit goods,” concluded Ledwaba.