On March 30 police received a report that there had been a burglary at Montgomery Court in Plumer Street.
Const Melton Mahlaka and Const Maggie Maripane headed out to the scene where the burglary had taken place.
“The house break-in was reported by the neighbours. While conducting our investigation we discovered that the home owner was in possession of illegal cigarettes,” said police.
Crime Intelligence was called onto the scene, where it was discovered that the home owner had two large boxes full of illegal cigarettes hidden in his home.
“We suspect that the illegal cigarettes are the main reason for the house break-in,” said police.
The home owner, a 36-year-old man was arrested and charged for the possession of counterfeit/illicit goods. Police also opened a case of house break-in.
The two large boxes contained roughly 50 cartons of cigarettes each, valued at approximately R40 000.
The public is cautioned to be on the lookout for illegal cigarettes, paying less than R15 for a pack of 20s is highly suspect. Also be on the lookout for the excise stamp on the pack (through customs), the tar and nicotine readings are higher than 12mg and 1.2 mg respectively and there are likely no health warnings on the pack.
Help curb the challenge of illicit trade by being alert and aware of any suspiciously priced products sold to you, do not knowingly buy illegal cigarettes and report any illegal trade in cigarettes that you may know of by phoning the Tobacco Industry of South Africa TISA Hotline on 080 021 4710.
On March 6 R24-million worth of illegal cigarettes were seized as three trucks from Mozambique were offloading onto two South African trucks. Police intervened and arrested five suspects.
The illegal cigarettes were taken to South African Revenue Services in Pretoria, where they were destroyed.
“The police will be vigilant in their fight against crime and the trade of illicit and illegal goods,” said Capt Eddie Hall, police communications officer.
