By Agreement Mabunda
HOEDSPRUIT-Two foreign male suspects were nabbed by the South African Police Service in Hoedspruit for possession of illicit cigarettes on Thursday 14 March 2024 at about 15:10.
Police received information about a silver-grey Toyota Corolla motor vehicle with a Mpumalanga registration number that was allegedly loading illicit cigarettes from storage in Hoedspruit town and rushed to the premises.
Upon arrival, the motor vehicle sped off and headed in the direction of Phalaborwa. Later during the day, the motor vehicle was spotted travelling back to Hoedspruit direction and driving at a high speed.
Police jointly with a Private Security Company chased the motor vehicle until it was intercepted along Hoedspruit R40 road. The motor vehicle with one occupant was searched and police found illicit cigarettes inside it.
A 42-year-old Zimbabwean National failed to provide a satisfactory response about the origin of the cigarettes and was immediately apprehended on the spot for possession of illicit cigarettes worth more than two hundred thousand rands (R260.000)
Following his apprehension, police proceeded to the storage where illicit cigarettes were reportedly kept for distribution.
Police found a 24-year-old Zimbabwean National and searched the premises. Subsequently, a silver Toyota Corolla and Toyota Hilux bakkie were discovered loaded with illicit cigarettes. A 24-year-old male suspect was immediately placed under arrest at the scene for possession of illicit cigarettes.
In addition, the three motor vehicles believed to have been utilized during the commission of the crime were also seized together with the illicit cigarettes with a total street value of six hundred and seventy thousand rands R670.000.
The duo are expected to appear before Hoedspruit Regional Court on Monday 18 March 2024 for possession of illicit cigarettes.
Police investigations are continuing.
