LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED - over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized

LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED – over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized Photos: Supplied/Hawks

LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED – over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized

An illicit cigarette syndicate was BUSTED, and a WHOPPING more than R30 million worth of cigarettes was seized.

LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED - over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized

LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED – over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized Photos: Supplied/Hawks

The HAWKS busted an illicit cigarette syndicate on Saturday, and a WHOPPING of more than R30 million worth of cigarettes was seized.

LOOK AS THE ILLICIT CIGARETTE SYNDICATE WAS BUSTED

According to Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke received a tip-off about illicit cigarettes that were kept at a farm waiting to be transported to different destinations in the country.

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“A multi-disciplinary sting operation between the Hawks, Limpopo South African Police Service, South Africa National Defence Force, and South African Revenue Services was immediately conducted.

“When the team arrived at the identified farm, they found a truck and a tractor with a trailer loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes that were covered with bricks pallets.”

Captain Matimba Maluleke

LOOK AT THESE PHOTOS:

LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED - over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized
LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED – over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized Photo: HAWKS
LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED – over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized Photo: HAWKS
LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED - over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized Photo: HAWKS
LOOK: Illicit cigarette syndicate BUSTED – over R30 million worth of cigarettes seized Photo: HAWKS

THE FARM IS LOCATED BETWEEN MUSINE AND BEITBRIDGE PORT OF ENTRY

The farm is located between Musina and Beitbridge Port of Entry.

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Maluleke furthermore said a preliminary investigation led to the discovery of a bakkie and another truck in the vicinity that were also fully loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes.

The value of the seized suspected illicit cigarettes is over R30 million. The team worked throughout the night trying to safeguard the exhibit and locate the suspects.

OVER R30 MILLION ILLICIT CIGARETTES WAS SEIZED

Five people aged between 26 and 44 were arrested for contravening the Customs and Excise Act.

They are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 27 February 2023.

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