The team, consisting of members of the Kimberley K9 unit, Kimberley Flying Squad, Provincial Organised Crime and Crime Intelligence, received a tip-off and acted promptly to track and stop the truck.

The truck, destined for De Aar, was loaded with suspected contraband cigarettes with an estimated street value of more than R1 million. Two occupants, aged 56 and 37 respectively, were not placed under arrest. 

“We have those two people’s information. We have opened an enquiry docket and are waiting for confirmation on the cigarettes. Once the tobacco brand experts identify these cigarettes as illegal, we will arrest them,” says Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana.

After pouncing on the truck with the suspected contraband cigarettes, the team proceeded to Galeshewe, where they arrested a 32-year-old male suspect with dagga with an estimated street value of more than R37 000.

The arrest followed after intelligence was gathered regarding the alleged drug dealing activities on the suspect’s premises.

Upon arrival at the premises, the suspect was found carrying a backpack which contained dagga.

The suspect appeared in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 4 October 2022, on a charge of dealing in dagga.

The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the community for their concerted efforts in assisting the SAPS in the fight against criminal activities and continued to encourage them to expose criminals within their communities. 

Release