Cape Town – Six suspects who were arrested for attempting to smuggle R12 million worth of illicit cigarettes into the country made their first court appearance on Monday.
The suspects were caught while off-loading illicit cigarettes from LP gas tankers in Limpopo.
They were arrested on Friday night.
They were found loading illicit cigarettes from a gas tanker into the two cargo trucks at Toitskraal outside Marble Hall, said police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba in a statement.
“According to the information, the suspects parked the tanker and two cargo trucks at one of the farms in Toitskraal.
“The police responded swiftly and managed to apprehend the suspects. It is further alleged that the gas tanker was from Musina and was being escorted by a white Toyota Auris while the two cargo trucks were reportedly from Gauteng,” said Ledwaba.
#sapsLIM 6 Suspects, arrested by #SAPS Marble Hall after being found loading illicit cigarettes, worth R12 MIL, from a Gas Tanker into 2 Cargo Trucks at Toitskraal on 27/01, remanded in custody after appearing in Marble Hall Magistrate’s Court on 30/01. MEhttps://t.co/l8lAAlJm4j pic.twitter.com/yOSMTPGbZy
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) January 31, 2023
He said that the cigarettes and the vehicles were confiscated by police.
The suspects faced charges of possession of suspected stolen goods and smuggling of illicit cigarettes.
They were remanded in custody and were expected to apply for bail on February 6, said Ledwaba.
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Picture: Twitter/ @SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
