40-year-old Indian National is expected to appear in Middelburg Magistrate’s Court today, Tuesday 18 February 2025.
The suspect was arrested by Middelburg Crime Prevention after information was received that the suspect is in possession of illicit cigarettes in his shop.
Members operationalised the information, which led to the arrest of a 40-year-old suspect. Illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R3.4 million was recovered.
The Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and South African Revenue Service Customs were brought on board for further investigations.
The Department of Home Affairs will also be brought on board to investigate the status of the suspect in South Africa.
The illicit cigarettes were seized and booked in as evidence.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, issued a strong warning to community members, urging them to avoid using illicit cigarette, as they are a health hazard. “These cigarettes contain harmful substances, including high levels of tar, nicotine, and other toxic chemicals. If such cigarettes are smuggled into the country, they negatively impact the economy as smugglers evade taxes and regulations,” warned the General.
