South Africa: Pakistani Businessman in Court for Cigarette Smuggling

Source from:  South African Police Service 12/31/2014

Yesterday, 38-year-old Suid Mohammed appeared in the Lehurutshe Magistrate's Court for trying to smuggle illicit tobacco worth more than R360 000,00 to South Africa through the Skilpadhek border post that South Africa shares with Botswana.

The Skilpadhek border police, in conjunction with the Directorate for Priority Investigation (the Hawks), arrested Muhammad in a joint, intelligence-driven operation on 27 December 2014. A total of 36 boxes, which contained cartons of illicit Pacific Blue cigarettes, were found hidden in a false compartment created in a trailer pulled by a bakkie driven by Mohammed.

Muhammad could not give the police a proper explanation when confronted about the illicit cigarettes. He only mentioned that he was heading to Krugersdorp. The Lehurutshe Magistrate's Court released him on R5 000,00 bail and the matter was postponed to 21 January 2015.

The Acting National Head of the Hawks, Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, applauded the team for their swift action. "This is a clear attempt of our border security. It is hoped that this arrest will send a clear message that we are not relaxed at our borders". Enditem