Sedibeng police have intercepted an illicit cigarette haul worth an estimated R3.7 million and arrested two suspects in what authorities described as a major breakthrough against the illegal tobacco trade in Gauteng.
The operation unfolded on Wednesday afternoon after members attached to the South African Police Service’s Crime Intelligence unit in Sedibeng acted on tactical intelligence regarding a white UD truck allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes from Gauteng to QwaQwa.
According to police, the intelligence-driven operation was initiated after officers received information on May 19 indicating that the truck would be travelling along the R59 route through Vereeniging and Sasolburg carrying contraband cigarettes.
“At about 16:30 on May 20, members followed up on the information and established that the truck had already passed through Vereeniging towards Sasolburg. Sasolburg Infrastructure members were immediately alerted and provided with the truck’s particulars.”
Acting swiftly on the information, officers intercepted the truck at the intersection of the R82 and R57 before escorting it to Zamdela SAPS for further investigation and a detailed search.
