A 42-year-old truck driver's attempt to evade a police roadblock in the Free State backfired, leading to his arrest and the discovery of a massive haul of illicit cigarettes valued at approximately R12 million.
In a statement released on Monday by the South African Police Service (SAPS), Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State, the incident occurred in the Rouxville area of the Xhariep District, where local police were conducting routine vehicle stops and searches.
According to the statement from the SAPS, the operation took an unexpected turn when officers received intelligence about suspicious activity.
"One member received intelligence-led information about a truck that made a sudden turn and stopped near one of the petrol garages," the SAPS statement revealed.
Authorities approached the vehicle cautiously, where they encountered the driver, described as a 42-year-old foreign national. In an apparent attempt to avoid suspicion, the driver claimed he was taking a break from a long journey.
"The driver thought he could fool cops on a roadblock by pretending he was resting after a long drive, but ended up behind bars," the police statement noted.
The driver reportedly told officers he was traveling from Gauteng to the Eastern Cape for a delivery. However, a thorough search of the vehicle uncovered a significant contraband cache.
"Members continued to search the truck and under the sails, 400 boxes of illicit cigarettes worth an estimated street value of R12 million were discovered," the SAPS reported.
The SAPS noted that following the discovery, the driver was promptly arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes. The truck, likely used to transport the illegal goods, was also confiscated by authorities.
The suspect is scheduled to make his first appearance at the Rouxville Magistrate Court to face charges related to the possession and transportation of illicit cigarettes.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by South African law enforcement to combat the trade of illegal tobacco products, which continues to be a significant issue affecting tax revenues and legitimate businesses in the country.
Source: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=54113