South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers, along with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), have seized more than R5 million worth of illicit cigarettes in an intelligence-driven joint operation.
The SANDF said Job Masego Regiment, deployed under Joint Tactical Headquarters North West, took part in the operation with the SAPS in Mahikeng. They received information regarding a truck that was loaded with illicit cigarettes and expected to pass at the Kopfontein Point of Entry (POE). The truck is said to have driven from Zimbabwe via Zambia through Botswana into South Africa.
The members of the SA National Defence Force were then tasked to conduct patrols in the area. The joint operation was a success and cigarettes worth R5.5 million were confiscated. Together with the value of the truck, the total value of seized goods increased to R7million.
The SANDF said this was part of efforts to stop illegal goods from entering South Africa and to stop criminal activities and corruption taking place at the border line.
