Illegal contraband from Zim intercepted in South Africa

A track full of illegal tobacco transported from Zimbabwe was intercepted in South Africa and confiscated on Tuesday.

According to Daily Sun, the truck was carrying illegal tobacco from Zimbabwe and the people following them were cops waiting to arrest them.

Sergeant Lindile Moloi, from Brackendowns Police Station in Alberton, said they were surprised when the men came to the station.

"The driver told us they were carrying tobacco and they were being followed," she said.

"He called the owner of the truck who confirmed the goods and the truck belonged to him."

But then the men who had been following them also arrived and said they were police informants.

"The JMPD crime prevention unit and the SAPS intelligence unit arrived. They told us that a truck carrying illegal merchandise had crossed into South Africa from Zimbabwe," said Moloi.

She said investigations by crime intelligence revealed that the goods were supposed to go to Singapore.

"The police have charged the owner, driver and crew with possession of illegal tobacco. And Sars has laid a number of charges, including tax evasion," said Moloi.

She said the men will appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court tomorrow.