Foreign national arrested for smuggling illicit cigarettes worth over R14-million

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A 44 year-old foreign national has been arrested for smuggling illicit cigarettes worth more than fourteen million rands at Beitbridge Port of Entry on Saturday.

According to reports, the suspect was driving a white truck with a tanker trailer when he was stopped by the police at the port of entry.

The driver told police that it was empty but they suspected to be loaded and it was taken to the ramp zone at the commercial side and searched, Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed.

“During the search, police discovered that it was fully loaded with illicit cigarettes of Remington Gold brand and the suspect failed to provide satisfactory explanation regarding the origin of the cigarettes and he was immediately placed under arrest on the spot.

“During the arrest, police confiscated 710 boxes of Remington Gold illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R14 449 363-00 and a truck tanker valued at R2 500 000,” he explained.

Facing charge of smuggling Illicit cigarettes

Mashaba said the suspect is expected to appear before the Musina magistrate court soon facing a charge of smuggling of illicit cigarettes whilst police investigations are continuing.

The police provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded police for their vigilance and alertness and the confiscation of large quantity of illicit cigarettes, thus breaking the backbone of illicit trade in the borders.

Meanwhile, two suspects were arrested for two counts of murder during crime intelligence driven operation on Friday in Letlhabile Block I and G respectively.

North West police spokesperson Captain Mpho Manyoba said the pair, aged 23 and 28, was nabbed after information for double murder suspects was received and operationalised.

“The suspects shot and killed a male and a female in the early hours of Thursday morning, inside a tuck shop at Checkers Section, Maboloka village near Letlhabile. The motive of the incident is yet to be determined.

“The first suspect was arrested at Block I and following the interview, he led the police to Block G, where his accomplice was located and arrested.

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“In effecting the second arrest, the team confiscated firearms that included 12 Gauge shotgun with filed off serial number, four ammunition as well as a silver 9mm star pistol with filed off serial number and one ammunition, which were found hidden in the garden,” Manyoba remarked.

The suspects are due to appear in the Brits magistrates’ court on Monday.

The captain revealed that the 28-year-old suspect will be facing additional charges of unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition. Investigations into the matter, including the tracing of the other suspect/s, are underway.