illicit cigarettes that were hidden
The alertness of members of the South African Police Service at Alldays in Makhado Cluster and their determination to follow up on information provided by community members, led them to uncover boxes full of illicit cigarettes that were hidden between crates of tomatoes today, Wednesday 17 June 2020 at about 14h30. Four suspects, the two drivers and their crews were immediately arrested.
The police received information about two trucks transporting tomatoes from the local farm situated next to Pontdrift border post to Rustenburg in the Northwest Province, and that the same trucks were also loaded with boxes of cigarettes.
A snap operation comprising police members from Alldays, Makhado Cluster and Crime Intelligence Gathering was then conducted in the area. The vehicles matching the descriptions given were spotted along the R572 Swartwater road next to the Mogalakwena bridge and ordered to stop.
Both trucks were then escorted by the police to Alldays police station where they were offloaded and searched. Thirty (30) boxes of Remington Gold and Pacific Blue cigarettes estimated at R403 148.00 were found hidden between crates of tomatoes.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Major General Jan Scheepers has thanked Community members for continuously providing valuable information to the police to ensure their success in the fight against crime.
The suspects, aged between 26 and 32 will appear in Senwabarwana magistrate court tomorrow on Thursday 18 June 2020, facing charges of Possession of illicit cigarettes and contravention of Customs and Exercise Act.
