In the first incident, a 37-year-old suspect was arrested in the early hours of Friday for smuggling illicit cigarettes, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said.

"The suspect was entering the country from Botswana through Kopfontein Port of Entry when his truck was stopped for a search. During the search, the police found 303 master cases of illicit cigarettes worth R3.8 million inside a hidden compartment of the truck." 

As part of the ongoing operations, another suspect, aged 40, was arrested at about 4pm on the same day, also for possession of illicit cigarettes. The suspect was arrested after Zeerust K9 unit members followed up on information about a truck transporting illicit cigarettes.

The truck was found at a filling station along the R49 near Zeerust. During a search of the truck, police found 645 master cases of cigarettes with an estimated value of R1.2 million. The suspects faced charges of contravening the Customs and Excise Act.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) was investigating both cases, and the suspects were expected to appear in the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Mokgwabone said.

North West police commissioner Lt-Gen. Baile Motswenyane commended the officers for their vigilance and determination that resulted in the successes. Police were determined to turn the tide against those who commit trans-national crimes. 

ANA