By Obakeng Maje

Lichtenburg-North West police made a break-through when they arrested three suspects in connection of illicit cigarettes. The three suspects were arrested on Saturday,after police received information about suspicious truck from Potchefstroom.

“Lichtenburg Police immediately responded to the tip-off and conducted the search. They saw the suspicious truck with given description and stopped it” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said.  Moiloa said a thorough search and inspection were conducted and police discovered illicit cigarettes that were hidden behind a charcoal inside the truck.

“The Shasha and Chelse cigarettes worth R188 500.00 and police arrested three suspects” she said

Two South Africans and a Bangladesh National aged 32,34 and 36 were subsequently arrested. 

Upon questioning,they alleged that were taking the cigarettes to Keerom Farm outside Lichtenburg. 

The police went to the farm to investigate and allegedly found more cigarettes worth R459 325.49 hidden in a warehouse in the farm.  

“It is alleged that cigarettes were in transit to Lenasia in Johannesburg” Moiloa said. 

Abdul Rehman (36) Mahomed Patel (32) and Milon Kumar (34) appeared before Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday,and the case was postponed until Thursday for bail application. 

“The suspects were remanded in custody and the acting Provincial Commissioner, General Naidoo expressed his words of gratitude to members of Lichtenburg and Potchefstroom Clusters for making sure that the perpetrators were put behind bars” police said. 

“We will ensure that illicit dealing like this,are dealt with effectively”, said Major General Naidoo.  

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