FOREIGN NATIONAL SUSPECT BUSTED FOR SMUGGLING ILLICIT CIGARETTES WORTH OVER HUNDRED THOUSAND RANDS FOLLOWING HIGH SPEED CHASE
POLOKWANE: Police in Limpopo have arrested a 20-year-old foreign national male suspect for attempting to smuggle a substantial quantity of illicit cigarettes into the country. The arrest follows a high-speed chase with the police on Tuesday morning , 09 July 2024, within the Zebediela policing area in the Capricorn district.
The members of the Provincial Anti-Smuggling Task team followed information about a Ford Ranger bakkie traveling from Musina loaded with illicit cigarettes. The vehicle was spotted near Bergenek, traveling at a high speed towards Zebediela.
The officers signaled for the driver to pull over, but the suspect accelerated, leading to a dangerous pursuit. The chase ensued over several kilometers, with police officers maintaining a coordinated effort to apprehend the suspect.
The pursuit concluded when the suspect’s vehicle lost control between Zebediela and Mokopane junction and stopped.The driver then jumped out and tried to evade the arrest but was swiftly apprehended
Upon inspection, officers discovered 26 boxes of illicit cigarettes concealed within the vehicle. The suspect did not possess a valid driver’s license and documents to be in the country.The illicit cigarettes have an estimated street value of R160 000-00. The vehicle was also seized as part of an investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended this team of members for the swift response and commitment to combating the illegal trade of contraband goods in the province.
The suspect will be charged with smuggling illicit goods, reckless and negligent driving, driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and contravening the immigration Act. He will soon appear before Mokopane Magistrate’s Court.
The investigation is ongoing.
