Foreign national nabbed with illicit cigarettes worth R150k in Limpopo
Police were on duty conducting an operation when they spotted the foreign national carrying a large bag.
On Friday, 02 October 2026, a 42-year-old foreign national was apprehended in Lephalale, Limpopo, for dealing in and possessing illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R150,000. The arrest occurred when the Lephalale K9 Unit and Crime Prevention Unit were conducting an operation and observed the suspect carrying a large bag.
Upon pursuit, the man entered a supermarket, where police requested to inspect the bag, ultimately discovering the prohibited tobacco inside. When questioned, the suspect confessed to having additional cigarettes stored at a rental property and disclosed that these cigarettes were illegal in South Africa. He was promptly arrested for possession and dealing in illicit cigarettes. The suspect is scheduled to face the Lephalale Magistrate's Court on Monday, 05 October 2026.
Earlier this week, on a different day, a high-speed pursuit in Limpopo concluded with police seizing roughly R100,000 worth of illicit cigarettes from a suspect who abandoned his Mercedes-Benz. At approximately 2:50am on a Tuesday, officers from the Mankweng Crime Prevention Unit were patrolling the D4040 road near Ga-Rampheri when they noticed a suspect driving a white Mercedes-Benz at a dangerous speed.
The driver failed to halt and the pursuit ensued, leading the vehicle to the Astron Garage in Ga-Chuene, Lebowakgomo policing area. The suspect abandoned the car and fled on foot into the surrounding woods. Police continued their pursuit but were unable to apprehend him. The suspect remains at large, and police investigations are ongoing to locate and arrest him.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
