LIMPOPO – A joint anti-smuggling operation has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle valued at R2.2m and the arrest of a suspect on the N1 near Makhado.

According to police, the operation was carried out by the Provincial Investigation Unit and Provincial Tracking Team, with the assistance of private security partners ShadowSecure Security, Tracker Connect, Tshimollo Security and Investigations, Limpopo Tactical Security, and Bas Secure.

Vehicle intercepted en route to Beitbridge

Police said they had received information that a suspected stolen vehicle was being transported from Gauteng to Limpopo, allegedly for smuggling out of the country through the Beitbridge Port of Entry.

Operational teams monitored the N1 from Gauteng and stopped a white Toyota Land Cruiser ZX travelling north near Makhado.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Benoni, Gauteng, on Saturday, July 18.

Suspect due in court Monday

The 46-year-old driver was arrested and is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 27, facing charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle and driving without a valid licence.

Police investigations are ongoing.