A 24 year-old foreign national was arrested on Friday for dealing in illicit cigarettes at Makhado precinct under Vhembe District in Limpopo.

This follows a joint intelligence driven operation where police received valuable information about a white Isuzu truck that was traveling from Beitbridge Point of Entry and allegedly destined to Johannesburg, Gauteng, to deliver illicit cigarettes.

The illicit cigarettes discovered by cops

SWIFT RESPONSE

SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng said police responded swiftly on the information and a joint search operation comprising of the Provincial Tracking Team, Makhado detectives and a private security and investigation company was activated to locate it.

"The truck fitting the description was subsequently spotted driving along the N1 North public road outside Makhado and it was stopped and searched. During the search, police discovered 105 boxes of illicit cigarettes loaded inside empty crates," said Thakeng.

He said upon probing the suspect on the about the origin of the illicit cigarettes, he failed to provide a satisfactory response and was immediately placed under arrest.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE 

He said during the arrest, police seized illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R650 000 together with an Isuzu truck utilised during the commission of crime valued at R900.000.

"A 24 year-old male suspect is expected to appear before Makhado Magistrate?s Court on Monday 27 January 2025 facing a charge of dealing in illicit cigarettes.Police investigations are continuing."