R3 million worth of cigarettes ABANDONED in Limpopo

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The dramatic escape unfolded on Wednesday when the suspects fled on foot, leaving behind their cigarette contraband worth R3 million.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the cigarettes—identified as Remington Gold—are manufactured in Zimbabwe.

According to bulawayo24, the stash was smuggled from Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge border post.

Abandoned contraband

According to a police statement, officers in the small Limpopo town of Marble Hall, working alongside private security, intercepted a suspicious truck.

The truck was carrying 89 boxes (50 cartons each) and an additional 716 packs of 20s of Remington Gold. The vehicle was discovered abandoned at the intersection of N11 and Slaagboom Road.

Marble Hall is some 360km from the Beitbridge border.

“Police activated an operation upon receiving an alert about a suspicious truck traveling towards Marble Hall. The described vehicle was spotted, and they tactically approached it,” SAPS said.

The truck driver and passenger, after sensing approaching law enforcement, leapt from the truck and bolted on foot, leaving the cargo behind.

A subsequent search of the vehicle confirmed the presence of the smuggled goods, which have since been confiscated.

The war against cigarette smuggling

Cigarette smuggling continues to be a major issue at the now heavily-guarded Beitbridge border.

Criminal syndicates are still managing to evade security measures as they attempt to flood the South African market with illicit tobacco products.

Authorities have urged the public to come forward with any information that could help locate the fugitives.

Last year Limpopo police apprehended several suspects involved in the possession and distribution of illicit cigarettes in the Waterberg District. Read more on that story here.