A 39-year-old foreign national was arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes worth almost R300,000 when his vehicle was intercepted in Hoedspruit, outside Phalaborwa in Limpopo.
The driver of the Toyota RAV4 vehicle was also found in possession of “a substantial amount of money” when he was intercepted on Saturday, according to Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
“Members of the provincial visible task team received information about a gold Toyota RAV4, with Mpumalanga province registration number, suspected to be loaded with illicit cigarettes,” Ledwaba said.
“The team followed up the information, and the vehicle matching the description was spotted along R71 heading to Hoedspruit.”
Police officers managed to stop the vehicle along the R40 road, next to Hoedspruit.
“The vehicle was searched, and police discovered 728 cartons of Remington Gold illicit cigarettes with the estimated value of almost R300,000, which were confiscated. The driver was also found in possession of a substantial amount of cash,” said Ledwaba.
Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the law enforcement team “for their continued dedication in the fight against crime”.
The 39-year-old suspect is expected to appear before Hoedspruit Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing charges of possession illicit cigarettes.
Last year, IOL reported that two Zimbabwean nationals were sentenced in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Limpopo for possession of R9.6 million worth of illicit cigarettes and corruption.
Marshall Masiya, 32, and Oswald Raisi, 27, pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.
IOL