suspects arrested illegal cigarettes

Police arrested four suspects and seized a massive illegal cigarettes. Image: Facebook/Make SA Safe

Another massive load of illegal cigarettes seized

Police arrested four suspects and seized a massive illegal cigarettes.

suspects arrested illegal cigarettes

Police arrested four suspects and seized a massive illegal cigarettes. Image: Facebook/Make SA Safe

The South African Police arrested four suspects and seized another massive load of illegal cigarettes in Lenasia, south of JHB, on Tuesday, 31 January 2023.

FOUR SUSPECTS WAS ARRESTED IN CIGARETTE BUST

The police arrested four suspects, two Zimbabweans, and two Bangladeshi nationals. The cigarettes are believed to belong to GLTC Zim.

ALSO READ: LOOK: Police seize illicit cigarettes worth R12 million, six arrested

The cigarettes are believed to belong to GLTC Zim. Four suspects were arrested in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg. Image: Facebook/Make SA Safe.

MASSIVE LOAD OF ILLEGAL CIGARETTES CONFISCATED

According to information, half of the cigarettes were already delivered when police seized the illegal cigarettes and arrested the suspects.

ALSO READ: Tshwane bus services resume at a minimal capacity

In another incident, six suspects appeared in the Marble Hall Magistrate’s Court on charges of possessing stolen goods and smuggling illicit cigarettes on Monday, 30 June 2023.

ALSO READ: WATCH | Bob the sea turtle returns to the ocean: Who’s cutting onions?

Fours suspects were arrested for a massive load of illegal cigarettes in Lenasia south of Johannesburg. Image: Facebook/Make SA Safe

ILLICIT CIGARETTES WORTH R12 MILLION SEIZED

The suspects were allegedly caught red-handed while unloading illicit cigarettes worth R12 million from a gas tanker near one of the farms in Toitskraal, Limpopo, on Friday night. The cigarettes were being moved from the tanker to two cargo trucks.

ALSO READ: A state of disaster over Eskom will do more harm than good

“The Police responded swiftly and managed to apprehend the suspects. It is further alleged that the Gas Tanker was from Musina and was being escorted by a white Toyota Auris while the two Cargo Trucks were reportedly from Gauteng,” said police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Learners spill pot of food suspended

The authorities confiscated the goods and vehicles. The suspects were remanded in custody in court on Monday ahead of a bail application. The bail application is expected to be heard in the same court on Monday, 6 February.

Limpopo police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, praised members of the police for intercepting the “huge” consignment of illicit cigarettes and further thanked the public for providing the valuable information that led to the arrests.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY VIRGINIA KEPPLER-YOUNG