By Obakeng Maje

The fight against cross border crime and illicit cigarettes scored another success when the police at Kopfontein Port of Entry arrested a 27-year-old suspect on Saturday at approximately 19:30, North West police said.

“The police were allegedly on duty when a truck entered the country through the Port of Entry from Botswana, was stopped and searched” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said. 

Police said it was during the search that 5150 cartons of Pacific Blue illicit cigarettes with estimated street value of R1 073 343 (One million seventy-three thousand three hundred and forty-three rand)  were found inside the truck’s false compartment. 

“The driver allegedly informed the police that he was transporting the consignment to Gauteng. The suspect, who is Zimbabwean national was arrested and is expected to appear in Lehururtshe Magistrates’ Court soon for smuggling of illicit cigarettes” Mokgwabone said.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Zukiswa Mbombo thanked the members for their hard work and a job well done.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_