POLOKWANE – A well-coordinated operation conducted by members of the Provincial Tracking Team and Crime Intelligence, led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect, in the early hours of Thursday 26 May 2022 at Ga-Maja Moshate in Lebowakgomo policing area for allegedly dealing in and possession of illicit cigarettes.

Team and Crime Intelligence, led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect, in the early hours of Thursday, 26 May 2022 at Ga-Maja Moshate in Lebowakgomo policing area for allegedly dealing in and possession of illicit cigarettes.

The Team operationalised the information received about the presence of a warehouse that is being used to store illicit cigarettes before they are distributed to other places. The information led the members to a certain premises at the said village which turned out to be a shop. On arrival, they searched the place and found 27 boxes containing RG illicit cigarettes worth R315 000.00.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the members of this Team for their determination and persistence in the fight against crime, especially the numerous arrests that they continue to make of suspects involved in smuggling, dealing and possession of illicit cigarettes.

The suspect, who had reportedly rented the shop, was found sleeping inside and immediately arrested. He will appear before Lebowakgomo magistrate's court soon facing charges of dealing in and possession of illicit cigarettes.

Police investigations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service