R9m cigarettes contraband seized in Beitbridge

Contraband cigarettes, with an estimated street value of nearly R9 million, were seized at the Beitbridge border post yesterday, the Contraband cigarettes, with an estimated street value of nearly R9 million, were seized at the Beitbridge border post yesterday, the South Africa Revenue Service (Sars) said. said.

"The total seizure is 900 master cases of . . . cigarettes with a total value of over R8,9 million," spokeswoman Marika Muller said in a statement.

The Sars customs team had stopped a truck at the border post in Limpopo where the truck had intended on entering South Africa.
Muller said documents indicated the truck was empty.

"When the truck was opened for a search, officials found boxes of cigarettes concealed behind empty wooden pallets," she said.

The two drivers of the truck then attempted to bribe officials with an offer of R18 900.

The men were arrested and charged with bribery and smuggling, Muller said.