BOSHOF – A joint police collaboration involving the Bloemfontein Police K9 Unit and the Free State Crime Intelligence in the fight against illicit trade has yielded a significant result. Three undocumented foreigners have been arrested, and illicit cigarettes estimated at R3.6 million have been discovered in Boshof, a town located 120 km west of Bloemfontein. The suspects were arrested on Friday.

Sergeant Palesa Thabana, spokesperson for the provincial police, said members acted on intelligence-driven information, leading to the arrest of three suspects, aged 22, 44 and 56, including discovery of illegal cigarettes products at separate venues. She said different consignments were discovered during a crackdown in Boshof CBD.
“Members attached to the Bloemfontein Police K9 Unit received intelligence-led information about the distribution of illicit goods. The information first led members to a supermarket in the CBD where a search was conducted and boxes containing counterfeit cigarettes were found hidden underneath the bed,” said Thabana.

She said at the second identified address in Voortrekker Street, suspects tried to deny officers access into the warehouse. “Upon entry, boxes of illegal cigarettes were discovered and three males aged 22, 44 and 56 were subsequently arrested for possession of counterfeit cigarettes. Members confiscated 339 boxes of cigarettes and more than 15 000 loose cigarette packets. The seized goods are estimated to be worth R3.6 million,” said Thabana. She confirmed the suspects will be appearing in the Boshof Magistrates Court on Monday – 13 July. They will be face charges of contravention of the Counterfeit Goods Act, possession and dealing in illegal goods as well as contravention of the Immigration Act – being in South Africa illegally.

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