Over the weekend, Limpopo police intercepted illicit cigarettes worth R300,000 following a high-speed pursuit along the R521 highway, earning praise from provincial management for their vigilance.
According to Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, a Limpopo police spokesperson, officers on crime prevention duty noticed a suspicious vehicle on Saturday, May 4, around 10 a.m.
“Police were performing crime prevention duties when they spotted a suspicious white NP200 with a Gauteng registration driving at a high speed along R521 towards Pointdrift,” Mashaba stated. “The members gave chase until they managed to stop the vehicle. One occupant managed to jump from the vehicle and evade arrest. The vehicle was searched, and 20 master boxes of Remington Gold illicit cigarettes were found loaded into the vehicle, and they were confiscated as well as the vehicle.”
Following this success, police continued their operation in the central business district (CBD), where they seized a bag containing various types of illicit creams after an unknown suspect abandoned it.
In response to the seizure, Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the efforts of law enforcement in combatting illicit activities.
“Our ongoing efforts to tackle illicit activities within our communities are paying off, and we remain committed to addressing this issue head-on. The prompt reaction of the members is highly commendable,” Hadebe remarked.
A manhunt is currently underway to apprehend the suspects involved in the distribution and sale of the illicit cigarettes and creams.
Police have urged anyone with information about the suspects to contact Sergeant Isaac Mathiba at 082 414 6862 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or to visit the nearest police station.
The investigation is ongoing.