Members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) have arrested a smuggler and confiscated two trucks fully loaded with cigarettes that were being illegally transported into the country via a Limpopo border post at the weekend.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said in a statement that the man who was arrested had been driving one of two trucks that were waiting to enter the country through the Groblersburg port of entry on Sunday.
He said the second suspect, the driver of the other truck, fled the scene on foot.
"The two suspects were at the border, waiting to enter into South Africa from Botswana, when members on duty became suspicious and conducted a search of the two trucks.
"They ultimately found cigarettes loaded in the trucks," Ledwaba said.
"The arrested suspect is one of the two drivers of the trucks which were found fully loaded with illicit cigarettes worth over R1.4 million," he said.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Phalala Magistrates’ Court on 4 April, where he will be charged with smuggling contraband tobacco. Limpopo provincial police commissioner, lieutenant general Thembi Hadebe, applauded the officers for their alertness and commitment that led to the confiscation of the goods and the arrest.
