Pretoria: Police continue to intensify efforts to curb contraband trade and distribution through the enforcement of the Counterfeit Goods Act, this as 57-year-old foreign national was arrested for the possession of suspected counterfeit cigarettes. The arrest was made by the Welkom K9 Unit.
According to South African Government News Agency, on Tuesday, members attached to the Welkom K9 Unit received information about suspected illegal cigarettes that were being transported to an identified house in Welkom. Information was operationalised and led police to a house in Jim Fouch¨ Park, Welkom, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.
On arrival at the scene, entry was gained into the premises, and police discovered a large quantity of boxes containing suspected illicit cigarettes. Preliminary investigations were conducted, and the cigarettes were confirmed to be counterfeit, the police said.
Police seized the boxes of illicit cigarettes, estimated to be valued at R6.2 million rands. The arrested suspect will appear in the Welkom Magistrate's Court soon.