Authorities in Limpopo have apprehended two foreign nationals, aged 25 and 31, for possessing !llic!t Remington Gold cigarettes valued at approximately R1 million.
Their arr#sts took place on Monday following a tip-off regarding a white truck with Gauteng province registration that was allegedly smuggling cigarettes from Zimbabwe to Gauteng via Northam.
Provincial police spokesperson, Col. Malesela Ledwaba, reported that a coordinated operation was launched, involving the Northam SAPS, Koedoeskop Rural Safety, and private security personnel.
“A concealed compartment was discovered in the trailer, featuring a false panel that hid 170 boxes of illicit Remington Gold cigarettes, estimated to have a street value of R1.1 million,” stated Ledwaba as reported by IOL.
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The team successfully identified the truck and performed a tactical stop, leading to a thorough search of the vehicle.
During the search, officers discovered a hidden compartment in the truck’s trailer, which had a false panel concealing 170 boxes of illicit Remington Gold cigarettes, with an estimated street value of R1.1 million.
The two foreign nationals were promptly arr3st3d and are expected to appear in Northam Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charges of possession of !llic!t cigarettes.
In addition to the arr#sts, police confiscated the truck and its trailer.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the provincial police commissioner in Limpopo, commended all participating law enforcement agencies for their swift response to the information received, which led to the successful operation.
In a related incident, IOL reported in August that the Limpopo provincial Flying Squad intercepted a convoy of five vehicles loaded with !llic!t cigarettes worth over R1 million, leading to the arrest of three individuals aged between 38 and 47 after a high-speed chase.
