South Africa: Police confiscate Ford Ranger loaded with R240,000 in illicit cigarette

Members of the Mahwelereng Flying Squad confiscated a Ford Ranger bakkie loaded with illicit cigarettes worth about R240,000 during an operation along Sterkfontein Road, between the R101 and R518, on Thursday.

According to provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the officers were patrolling around Mokopane CBD, Sebetiela Plaza, and Nyl Plaza when they received information about a suspicious vehicle allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes.

Police later spotted a white Ford Ranger matching the description. The occupants, upon noticing the police vehicle behind them, abandoned the bakkie and fled on foot into nearby bushes.

When officers searched the vehicle, they discovered 48 master boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes with an estimated street value of R240,000.

The vehicle was seized as part of ongoing investigations.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects. Anyone with information that could assist is urged to contact Warrant Officer Resimate Ngobeni at 082 468 8936, the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS App.

In August, IOL reported that the High Court in Limpopo granted a forfeiture order for a cash amount of R446,000 and a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle, which were seized by police.

The Hawks’ asset forfeiture investigation unit and the National Prosecuting Authority’s asset forfeiture unit (AFU) worked tirelessly to ensure the forfeiture of the money and the vehicle.

“This emanates from the arrest conducted by members of the South African Police Service attached to Musina in 2024. On 4 July 2024, police conducted a stop and search operation along the N1 road in Musina,” provincial spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said at the time.