A 45-year-old man has been arrested after police intercepted a truck carrying suspected illicit cigarettes worth an estimated R1.9 million in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga.
The arrest followed intelligence received by police regarding a truck allegedly transporting illicit goods from Musina in Limpopo to White River in Mpumalanga.
Acting swiftly on the information, a multidisciplinary law enforcement team tracked down and stopped the truck before conducting a thorough search. Officers discovered a large quantity of suspected illicit cigarettes concealed in the vehicle.
The entire consignment was confiscated, and the driver was immediately arrested on charges relating to the possession of illicit cigarettes.
The suspect is expected to appear before the local Magistrate’s Court soon, where he will face charges linked to the illegal possession of the tobacco products.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the officers involved in the operation for their vigilance and professionalism.
He praised the multidisciplinary team’s swift response, saying the successful seizure demonstrates the South African Police Service’s commitment to combating organised crime and disrupting the illicit trade that deprives the country of millions of rand in revenue.
Police investigations are continuing to determine the origin of the cigarettes and whether additional suspects linked to the smuggling operation may be identified.
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