News / National
Smugglers abandon R3m Zimbabwe cigarettes in South Africa
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South African authorities have launched a manhunt for two suspected smugglers who abandoned a truck loaded with illicit cigarettes worth R3 million in Marble Hall, some 360km from the Beitbridge border, on Wednesday.
The South African Police Service (Saps) confirmed yesterday that the cigarettes, identified as locally manufactured Remington Gold, are suspected to have been smuggled from Zimbabwe through the heavily guarded Beitbridge border post.
According to a police statement, officers in Marble Hall, working with private security, intercepted a suspicious truck carrying 89 boxes (50 cartons each) and an additional 716 packs of 20s of Remington Gold cigarettes. The abandoned vehicle was found at the intersection of N11 and Slaagboom Road in the Marble Hall policing area.
"Police activated an operation upon receiving an alert about a suspicious truck traveling towards Marble Hall. The described vehicle was spotted, and they tactically approached it," Saps stated.
Upon noticing the approaching police, the driver and passenger leaped from the truck and fled the scene on foot, leaving behind the contraband.
A subsequent search of the vehicle confirmed the presence of the illicit cargo, which has since been confiscated. Authorities have since launched a search for the suspects.
The smuggling of cigarettes remains a significant challenge at the Beitbridge border, with syndicates continuously attempting to bypass security measures to flood the South African market with illicit tobacco products. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to curb such illegal activities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Saps has urged members of the public with any information regarding the suspects to come forward.
The South African Police Service (Saps) confirmed yesterday that the cigarettes, identified as locally manufactured Remington Gold, are suspected to have been smuggled from Zimbabwe through the heavily guarded Beitbridge border post.
According to a police statement, officers in Marble Hall, working with private security, intercepted a suspicious truck carrying 89 boxes (50 cartons each) and an additional 716 packs of 20s of Remington Gold cigarettes. The abandoned vehicle was found at the intersection of N11 and Slaagboom Road in the Marble Hall policing area.
"Police activated an operation upon receiving an alert about a suspicious truck traveling towards Marble Hall. The described vehicle was spotted, and they tactically approached it," Saps stated.
Upon noticing the approaching police, the driver and passenger leaped from the truck and fled the scene on foot, leaving behind the contraband.
A subsequent search of the vehicle confirmed the presence of the illicit cargo, which has since been confiscated. Authorities have since launched a search for the suspects.
The smuggling of cigarettes remains a significant challenge at the Beitbridge border, with syndicates continuously attempting to bypass security measures to flood the South African market with illicit tobacco products. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to curb such illegal activities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Saps has urged members of the public with any information regarding the suspects to come forward.
Source - newsday
