LIMPOPO -The Limpopo police made two major breakthroughs on Monday in the illegal cigarette trade. Illegal cigarettes worth over R4 million was confiscated in two separate incidents.
In the first breakthrough the border police arrested a foreign national when he was found to be transporting over three million worth of illegal cigarettes across the Groblersbrug Border Post on Monday.
The police found 17 750 cartons of illegal cigarettes to the value of R3 692 000 hidden in the compartments of a container said Col Malesela Ledwaba.
The truck was confiscated during the arrests. Investigations continue.
In the second breakthrough on Monday evening, the Musina police working with the customs officials arrested a 41-year-old at the Beit Bridge Border Post.
“He was found to be in the possession of 3135 cartons of illegal cigarettes valued at R623 000 hidden underneath the trailer,” said Ledwaba.
The illegal cigarettes were confiscated and the suspect will appear before the Musina Magistrate Court today on charges of possession of illegal cigarettes, concluded Ledwaba.
