SA: Illicit cigarettes worth R1.5m confiscated; suspects include a Zimbabwean

By The Citizen

POLOKWANE: Two illegal immigrants are expected to appear the before the Mogwadi Magistrate’s Court soon on charges relating to contravention of the Immigration Act as well as dealing and possession of illicit cigarettes.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the duo, aged 31 and 42, were arrested along the R521 (Dendron Road) on Tuesday.

“The suspects were spotted after members of the Crime Intelligence Unit provided information about a truck enroute to Polokwane that was escorted by heavily armed suspects driving in two bakkies and a manhunt ensued,” his statement read.

The convoy was spotted on the Dendron road and the two bakkies escorting the truck drove in different directions when they spotted police and evaded arrest.

A Hino truck with two occupants inside was stopped and searched and 273 boxes of illicit Remington Gold cigarettes with a street value of R1.5 million was confiscated.

“The suspects are believed to be Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals who were in the country illegally during the commission of the crime,” Ledwaba added.

The duo were immediately arrested and the truck, estimated to be valued at R700 000 was also seized.

Ledwaba told the Polokwane Observer that a manhunt has been launched for the suspects that evaded arrest.