Police recovered illicit cigarettes worth over a million rand during a joint operation conducted in Musina policing area on Friday, 15 May 2020.
The Police, SANDF and Traffic officers received information about suspects transporting illicit cigarettes and immediately followed it up. A roadblock was set up and the vehicles were observed coming from Tshipise towards the direction of the N1 road.
The four vehicles, Mazda sedan, Nissan paddle van, Toyota Quantum and a Chrysler SUV were then stopped at different intervals. The Nissan bakkie reportedly failed to stop. It sped off and turned into the nearby gravel road. A car chase ensued until the driver lost control and knocked against a fence. The suspects then got out and ran into the nearby bushes.
Meanwhile, the Toyota Quantum also failed to stop and both the driver and passenger jumped from the moving vehicle and escaped. The vehicle ultimately hit a pole and came to a halt. The Mazda vehicle was seen making a U-turn in an attempt to evade arrest but police gave chase. The suspects abandoned the vehicle and also fled into the nearby bushes. The last vehicle, a Chrysler was also abandoned by the suspects.
During the search, police discovered the following inside three of the vehicles:
57 boxes with 50 cartoons in each box
87 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes with 21 cartoons and 2×20 packets.
15 Master box with 47 cartoons and 7 packets
The total value of the recovered properties is estimated at R1 454 428.00. The fourth vehicle (Chrysler), did not have the cigarettes but it is suspected to be stolen.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba commended the members for their vigilance and commitment which resulted in the confiscation of these illicit cigarettes and motor vehicles.
The origin and destination of the recovered properties will be determined by the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects involved in this matter, may contact Colonel Mamuhoyi on 082 414 6683 or the Crime Stop number 0860010111 or the nearest Police station.
The Police investigations are still continuing.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
