Cape Town - Law enforcement teams impounded a truck carrying 1 000 master cases of illicit cigarettes with a tax value of R20 million in Bronkhorstspruit.
The law enforcement team comprising of SAPS officials, SAPS and the Tshwane Metro Police acted up on a tip-off intercepted and a truck carrying illicit cigarettes at Bronkhorstspruit in the early hours of Monday.
Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said that the illicit cigarettes were imported through Beit Bridge where they were falsely declared as tea leaves, and the truck was stopped at Bronkhorstspruit.
“On being approached, the driver fled the scene and the truck and its consignment was detained.
“The truck was carrying 1 000 master cases of illicit cigarettes valued at a tax prejudice of R20m,” Kieswetter said
Kieswetter also said that the truck and its content have been moved to a secure Sars facility, and it will make further disclosures once the investigation has progressed further.
Kieswetter further conveyed his gratitude to the team that meticulously followed on an information provided to them.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to those patriotic South Africans that provided law enforcement with such a valuable information that led to the impounding of the truck carrying illicit cigarettes.
“The country is battling the scourge of illicit cigarettes, smuggled from a neighbouring country, with a view to not only displace legitimate manufacturers, but to also deprive the fiscus of all taxes due.
“The message to crooks engaged in this criminal enterprise is that we will not tire to confront and deal with them decisively. The clarion call is, comply or face the consequences,” Kieswetter said.
IOL