Smugglers use gas tanker used to sneak cigarettes ...

Smugglers use gas tanker used to sneak cigarettes into SA

Zim Now Writer

Six foreigners, who are believed to be Zimbabweans, appeared before the Marble Magistrates’ Court near following their arrest after being caught loading smuggled cigarettes worth R6 million from a gas tanker into two cargo trucks in the Limpopo Province.

The gas tanker, according to Limpopo provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, was coming from Beitbridge around the South Africa-Zimbabwe border while the cigarettes are of Zimbabwean origin.

“Six suspects, who were arrested by members of the South African Police Service in Marble Hall after being found loading illicit cigarettes from a gas tanker into the two cargo trucks at Toitskraal outside Marble Hall on January 27, 2023, were remanded in custody when they appeared before Marble Hall Magistrates Court on Monday 2023-01-30,” the Saps statement read.

“The six foreign nationals were intercepted after police received information about the suspects who were busy offloading the illicit cigarettes from a gas tanker into the cargo trucks.

“According to the information, the suspects parked the tanker and two cargo trucks at one of the farms in Toitskraal.”

Ledwaba said police responded swiftly and apprehended the suspects.

The gas tanker, which was being escorted by a white Toyota Auris, was reportedly from Musina, while the two cargo trucks were reportedly from Gauteng province.

“The suspects were remanded in custody for bail application until the next court appearance in the same court on February 6 this year.

“They are facing charges of possession of suspected stolen goods and smuggling of illicit cigarettes into the Republic of South Africa from the neighbouring countries,” Ledwaba said.

The illicit cigarettes and the trucks would be used as exhibits during their trial.