A 48-year-old suspect has been arrested by SAPS after attempting to drive his truck containing a multi-million rand consignment of cigarettes from Botswana into South Africa. This is the second major bust reported this week after a petrol tanker stuffed with illegal cigarettes was caught in Beitbridge, Limpopo.
It is reported that 152 ‘master boxes’ of cigarettes – worth over R4.25 million – were uncovered.
The suspect is expected to appear today in the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court for smuggling illicit cigarettes.
In a statement released by SAPS earlier in the day revealed that the truck driver is wanted for a similar offence in Limpopo.
“According to reports, the suspect was entering the country from Zambia via Botswana when his truck with Gauteng Province registration number was stopped for a search. During the search by South African Police Service (SAPS) members, 152 master boxes of cigarettes with an estimated value of R4 256 725 were found. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is due to appear for a similar offence before the court in August this year”
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena hailed the vigilance of his officers who ensured that the ban on tobacco is enforced.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is investigating the circumstances behind the major bust in North West.
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