A truck driver was arrested at Beitbridge Port of Entry for smuggling illicit cigarettes valued at over R2 million.
Key Points:
- A foreign truck driver was arrested for smuggling illicit cigarettes worth over R2 million.
- The truck contained 460 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes.
- The driver faces charges and will appear in court on March 24, 2025.
A 44-year-old foreign national truck driver was arrested at Beitbridge Port of Entry on Thursday morning for attempting to smuggle illicit cigarettes valued at more than R2 million.
Arrest Details at Beitbridge Port
According to police, the suspect was apprehended around 3:15 a.m. This was during a routine truck inspection at the South Gate as vehicles entered South Africa. The driver was behind the wheel of a freightliner truck, registered in Gauteng. It was initially presented a manifest claiming the vehicle was empty.
Discovery of Illicit Cigarettes
However, upon a thorough search, authorities discovered that the truck was actually carrying pallets. Also, several boxes positioned at the front of the load. The vehicle was then moved to the commercial ramp for a more detailed inspection. There, officials uncovered 460 boxes concealed within the truck.
Each of the boxes contained 100 cartons of Remington Gold cigarettes. The total value of the seized cigarettes was estimated at R2,139,000.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The driver was arrested and charged with the smuggling of illicit cigarettes. He was subsequently detained at the SAPS Musina and is scheduled to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the officers involved in the operation, emphasizing the police’s dedication to tackling cross-border criminal activities. “The commitment of our officers remains unwavering in the fight against illegal trade,” Hadebe said.
Previous Smuggling Incident at Beitbridge
This arrest follows a similar operation in January 2025, when a foreign national truck driver was caught smuggling illicit cigarettes worth over R14 million at Beitbridge Port. Police spokesman Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba reported that the suspect in that case had initially claimed his truck was empty. However, after an inspection, authorities found 710 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes, valued at R14,449,363, along with a tanker truck valued at R2.5 million.
Both incidents highlight ongoing efforts to curb the illegal cigarette trade at South Africa’s borders.
