By Obakeng Maje

A fight against illegal smuggling of cigarettes and other illegal goods at the Port of Entry is very rife that the police have intensified the fight against it and ensure that those who commit such crimes are brought to book North West police said. 

In less than two days just after police have recovered an illicit cigarettes worth R274 480.00 on Thursday last week at Ramatlabama Port of Entry and on Saturday at Kopfontein Port of Entry, three suspects were arrested for illicit cigarettes worth R1 102 398.00.

“Yet again Kopfontein Port of Entry recovered illicit cigarettes worth R467.720.00 on Monday at about 20:30” colonel Emelda Setlhako said. 

“According to the information, the police were performing their daily routine duties at arrival and search point for heavy motor vehicles when a truck driven by a 30 year old Botswana National male was searched” she said.

The driver was requested to open the rear door of the truck in order for the search to be conducted. While searching, the police noticed the truck had a false compartment.  “They noticed that the length of the truck’s outside is not the same with the one inside” she adds. 

The police opened the false compartment of the truck with a crow-bar and discovered 3904 cartons of Remington gold, Pacific blue & Sevilles cigarettes estimated at R467 720 00.  

The packages of these cigarettes were found without stamp impression which is a requirement in terms of section 54 (2) of Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 as amended. 

“The goods were seized in terms of section 88 of Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964.

The suspect informed the police that  his manager a 38 year old  Zimbabwean national was escorting him” setlhako said.

A case of smuggling of illicit cigarettes was registered at Nietverdiend Police Station. 

The two suspects  were detained at Nietverdiend police station and will appear at Lehurutshe Magistrate Court on today.

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