Suspects nabbed for possession of illicit cigarettes worth R1 million
BRITS – On Monday, 11 November 2024, between 14:00 and 00:00, two foreign national male suspects, aged 25 and 31, were apprehended for possession of illicit cigarettes along Northam and Brits T junction.
It is reported that Information was received regarding a white truck with Gauteng Province registration numbers, suspected to be smuggling cigarettes from Zimbabwe to Gauteng via Northam.
In response to the information received, a joint operation was swiftly activated by the team, which included various disciplines from Northam SAPS as well as Koedoeskop Rural Safety, and private Security.
The team spotted the truck, tactically stopped and searched it. In the trailer, a fake compartment was discovered, where upon removing the false panel, a total of 170 boxes of illicit cigarettes (Remington Gold) with an estimated street value of R1.1 million were found.
The two foreign national male suspects were immediately arrested. They are expected to appear before Northam Magistrate’s Court on soon facing charges of possession of illicit cigarettes. The cigarettes, truck, and a trailer were confiscated.
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has praised the members and other law enforcement agencies for responding appropriately to information resulting in the arrest of two suspects. Police investigation continues.
