LIMPOPO – The police intercepted two separate shipments of illicit tobacco products valued at more than R2 million in Limpopo on Thursday 4 June.

In the larger of the two busts, a 49-year-old foreign national was arrested in the Moletlane policing area after the Provincial Tracking Team intercepted a truck transporting illicit tobacco valued at R1.5 million.

The anti-smuggling operation was executed following intelligence received about a white Nissan truck transporting illicit tobacco from Zimbabwe destined for Gauteng.

The Provincial Tracking Team, supported by Tshimollo Security and Investigations, placed the truck under observation. At about 17:00, the truck was spotted travelling along the R518 public road in Moletlane and was stopped and searched. The police discovered 333 master boxes of Hookar tobacco with an estimated street value of R1.5 million.

Second seizure in Hoedspruit

In a separate operation, Hoedspruit police in collaboration with a local Farm Watch initiative intercepted a Volkswagen Tiguan SUV transporting illicit cigarettes in the early hours of the same day.

The unknown male driver immediately abandoned the vehicle at the scene and fled on foot, evading arrest.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 23 boxes of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R575 000.

The police appeal to anyone with information that can assist in tracing the unknown suspect to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Jabulani Mashaba on 076 852 0004 or crime stop number 08600 10111 or the nearest police station or MySAPSApp.