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Illicit hookah products worth R3.8m confiscated by Limpopo police

Police confiscated 908 boxes of premium hookah flavour boxes after stopping a truck on the R521 near Dendron on Wednesday (September 11).

POLOKWANE – A total of 908 boxes containing premium hookah flavour boxes wrapped in plastic was confiscated and two men arrested by Limpopo police on Wednesday (September 11).

The duo’s arrest follows swift reaction by police to a tip-off about a truck travelling on the R521 near Dendron, transporting illicit goods.

Illicit hookah products confiscated by Limpopo police. Photo: Limpopo police.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said members of the Capricorn District Flying Squad tactically approached a white Rigid Man truck and stopped it along the R521.

“Upon searching it, police found 908 boxes containing premium hookah flavour wrapped in plastic with one of the boxes found opened. The illicit flavour was confiscated at an estimated value of R3.8m,” his statement read.

Illicit hookah products confiscated by Limpopo police. Photo: Limpopo police.

Ledwaba said the suspects aged 34 and 46, were placed under arrest after they failed to provide the necessary documents for the goods and that SARS was also summoned to the scene.

“During the arrest, one of the suspects tried to bribe the officers, and an additional charge of bribery was added against him. The suspect’s truck valued at R400 000 was also confiscated.”

Illicit hookah products confiscated by Limpopo police. Photo: Limpopo police.

The men will appear before the Mogwadi Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of possession of illicit hookah products, Contravention of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 and bribery.

The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the members for accurately responding to the information received which led to the arrest of the two suspects.

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Raeesa Sempe

Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard

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