Limpopo police today made a major breakthrough with the seizure of counterfeit cigarettes worth well over R3.5 million.
Illicit cigarettes worth more than R2.5 million were seized in the Hlanganani when members while on patrol early this morning noticed a VW silver minibus parked in the bush near Njhakanjhaka road. On inspection the vehicle had no occupants but was loaded with counterfeit cigarettes. Investigations revealed that the car was rented in Cape Town and investigations are afoot to find the suspects.
In a similar incident counterfeit cigarettes worth more than R1 million were also seized at Giyani after a car chase between the suspects and the police. Police again while on patrol noticed two vehicles – a Toyota Quantum and Hyundai sedan - speeding and immediately a car chase ensued. The suspects ignored police’s signal to stop and at a distance the minibus stopped and two suspects were seen dashing on foot. The second vehicle a sedan, suspected to have been used as an escort vehicle, was stopped and in the process five suspects were apprehended.
Police discovered that the minibus was fully packed with illegal cigarettes. The five suspects have been detained whilst investigations are continuing to trace to other two suspects. The five suspects, three ladies and two males - four from Zimbabwe while one is from Malawi. In both incidents cases of smuggling of illicit cigarettes have been registered at Hlanganani and Giyani Police Stations.
Enquiries:
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi
Cell: 082 373 2408
