By Obakeng Maje

A Namibian National man was arrested in Kopfontein Border Post  on friday after Police recovered illicit Cigarettes estimated at R585 000.00 North West police said. “According to information,the police were busy searching at the arrival side of the border when a white Nissan truck with registration number of Gauteng province approached  the searching point” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

“The Police allegedly requested the driver to produce his passport and to open the truck so that they can conducted the  search” Ngubane said. 

Upon opening of the truck  police realized that the length of the truck body from the inside is not the same as the truck body from outside. 

This was further confirmed by using the measuring tape and the outside was 70 meters and inside was 60 meters.

The driver was  directed to park the truck at the ramp for thorough  searching and  the truck body was suspected of having a possible false compartment from inside North West police said. 

The truck body was tapped and opened. 

Boxes with cigarettes were discovered at the  corner of the body truck.

The compartment was broken and 70 master cases of Shasha and 20 master cases  of Caspian blue cigarettes, each master case containing 50 cartons total value of R580,50.00 was discovered.

On questioning the driver he  alleged that he was going to load foil at  Alberton.

“A case of smuggling of illicit cigarettes was opened at Nietverdiend police station” police said. 

The suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday.

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