South African police have arrested five suspects believed to be part of a ring involved in the smuggling of cigarettes into the country through Beitbridge Border Post shared with Zimbabwe.
According to spokesperson for the crack police unit Hawks, Matimba Maluleke, the unnamed suspects were arrested at the weekend for allegedly possessing US$1.7 million worth of illicit cigarettes that is believed to have been illegally brought into the country.
Maluleke said the suspects were arrested following a tip-off from a member of the public of the existence of the contraband at a farm in Limpopo province.
The tip-off led to a multi-disciplinary sting operation involving the South African Police Service, South African National Defence Force and South African Revenue Services.
“A preliminary investigation led to the discovery of a pickup and another truck in the vicinity that were also fully loaded with suspected illicit cigarettes ready for distribution to other parts of the country,” Maluleke said.
The suspects were due to appear at the Musina Magistrate’s Court in the province on Monday when they are expected to answer charges of contravening the Customs and Excise Act.
NM/jn/APA