By OBAKENG MAJE

The police have confiscated counterfeit cigarettes worth R1 million. This comes after the Springbok K9 unit, Public Order Police, SAPS Border Police, Department of Home Affairs and SARS Customs, pounced on several Bangladesh shop owners in Springbok on 8 March 2024.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, the police received a tip-off regarding alleged counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco products in five shops in Bergsig, Carolusberg and Okiep in Springbok.

“The police confiscated 217 cartons of cigarettes and a large amount of Afzal tobacco with an estimated street value of R1 million. The owners were served with seven day notice to provide the original documentation of the purchasing of these goods,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, lauded the police for the unabated disruptive actions and reiterated that the police and all relevant role players, remain relentless in the efforts to uproot the illicit trade in counterfeit goods, as it has a detrimental impact on the economy of the country.

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