Illicit tobacco products intercepted near Kosi Bay border

Truck carrying suspected illicit tobacco products intercepted

12 hours ago

Gugu Myeni 1 minute read

Tobacco products intercepted near Kosi Bay border post

Suspected illicit tobacco products estimated at R1.9m were confiscated along the R22, five kilometres from the Kosi Bay border post.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) announced on Tuesday that it intercepted a truck bearing Mozambican registration plates.

During an inspection of the vehicle and its consignment, BMA law enforcement officials discovered 150 master cases of flavoured hookah tobacco and 50 bags of chewing tobacco concealed beneath a load of beans.

“The driver, a Mozambican national, indicated that the consignment was destined for Durban.

“Following consultations with the KZN SAPS for further investigation, a formal inquiry docket was registered and the matter was referred to the Provincial Counterfeit Unit.

“The products are suspected to have been smuggled from India through Mozambique into South Africa, based on their foreign labelling and health warnings,” said the BMA in a statement.

This operation was part of other law enforcement successes recorded by the BMA over the past week.

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