VEREENIGING – A truck carrying a massive consignment of suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of nearly R20m remains under 24-hour watch outside the Vereeniging Police Station following the arrest of its driver.

For days, the impounded truck has been under constant surveillance by a private security company while investigators continue to probe what authorities suspect could be part of a larger illicit cigarette distribution network.

The arrest followed a multidisciplinary intelligence-driven operation on June 26, involving the Sedibeng Tracking Team, Sedibeng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Fezile Dabi TRIO Task Team, Gauteng Traffic Police High Priority Crimes and Internal Affairs Unit, Sedibeng K9 Unit, and Sedibeng Crime Intelligence.

Department of Community Safety spokesperson, Ofentse Morwasi, said law enforcement officials acted swiftly after receiving intelligence about a truck with double trailers allegedly transporting suspected illicit cigarettes along the R59 from Johannesburg East towards the Vaal.

“Operational teams immediately mobilised and proceeded to the R59, where they intercepted a truck matching the description and registration details provided by intelligence. The vehicle was stopped on the Boy Louw Bridge along the R59,” said Morwasi.

He added that a search of the trailers led to the discovery of approximately 900 boxes containing cigarettes.

“The driver informed officers that he was unaware of the nature of the cargo being transported. He was arrested for transporting suspected illicit cigarettes,” Morwasi said.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court soon on charges related to the transportation of suspected illicit cigarettes.

At the time of publication, police had not responded to additional media enquiries regarding the investigation.