TWO foreign nationals are expected to face the law.
This after they wer caught with illicit cigarettes worth close to R2 million in Mpumalanga.
The men, aged 35 and 43, were nabbed on Friday, 5 June, following a lengthy surveillance operation by the Hawks and other law enforcement agencies.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), police received information about alleged illegal activities at a storage facility in White River.
Investigators then obtained a search warrant and monitored the facility while waiting for the right moment to pounce.
A multi-disciplinary team comprising Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation members, White River K9 and Divergent Operations tracked vehicle's movements linked to the operation.
A Toyota Hilux suspected of transporting illicit cigarettes was identified and later intercepted in Mbombela.
Police found 50 master cases of illicit cigarettes worth more than R500 000 inside the vehicle and arrested the two suspects on the spot.
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The investigation then led officers to a storage facility in White River, where they were joined by officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs division and the Local Criminal Record Centre.
During the search, investigators recovered another 87 master cases and 45 cartons of illicit cigarettes valued at more than R1,2 million.
The total value of the seized illicit cigarettes is estimated at close to R2 million.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Mbombela Magistrates Court on Monday, 8 June.
Mpumalanga Hawks boss Major-General Nico Gerber welcomed the arrests and praised teamwork between different law enforcement agencies.
"The sale of illicit cigarettes costs the country significant revenue and has a negative impact on both the economy and its citizens. Those involved make substantial profits without paying taxes, while the illicit cigarette trade adversely affects the livelihoods of South Africans," said Gerber.
