And up goes the price of cigarettes Multiple offenders in court for illicit cigarettes

Polokwane – Three suspects, arrested for the possession of illicit cigarettes, appeared before the Modimolle Magistrates’ Court on Monday 25 May. Alemayenu Leta, Pieter Venter and Amandul Biru were remanded in custody until 4 June for a formal bail application.  

The suspects were arrested on 23 May when the driver of a bakkie refused to obey police instructions to pull over his vehicle and a car chase ensued. “The driver sped off in the direction of Bela Bela. During the car chase, police contacted their colleagues in Bela Bela who spotted and cornered the bakkie at one of the intersections,” brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said. “The vehicle was found loaded with one thousand cartons of illicit cigarettes, leading to the arrest of the three.”

In another case, two suspects were arrested on Sunday 24 May in Sebayeng after another car chase along the N1 highway, north of Polokwane. “The suspects refused to stop and sped towards the gravel road that connects the N1 road and R81 from Polokwane. Police officers chasing after the suspects called for backup and the suspects were cornered at an intersection in Solomondale,” Mojapelo said.

Illicit cigarettes and alcohol were found hidden inside the vehicle during the search, leading to the arrest of the two. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects – a 30-year old man and a 35-year old woman were travelling from Zimbabwe. They were also travelling with the woman’s child.  

The two appeared before the Mankweng Magistrates’ Court on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes and transporting liquor in contravention of the Disaster Management Act.