Suspect to appear in court for illicit cigarettes

A 55-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Zeerust Magistrates' Court in the North West today after being nabbed for illicit cigarettes over the weekend. Police had received information from a farmer on Thursday evening about suspicious activities on his farm in Zeerust, leading to the arrest of the 55-year-old male and the recovery of illicit cigarettes worth R1.5 million. The farmer had spotted an unknown truck parked on his farm. On arrival, the police approached the truck and found a male inside. Upon searching the truck, illicit cigarettes were found and the man was arrested, while the truck and cigarettes were confiscated. Investigations into the matter are underway by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). This was the second bust of illicit cigarettes within three days. In the first incident, police and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confiscated illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R8 million in Makgobistad last Tuesday. The Provinc ial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the farmer for his vigilance and cooperation, which led to the discovery and subsequent arrest of the suspect. Source: South African Government News Agency