LIMPOPO – A 47-year-old man was convicted and sentenced to a fine of R15 000-00 or 12 months imprisonment wholly suspended for five (5) years at the Tzaneen Magistrates last week for possession of illicit cigarettes in contravention of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964.
The local police received a tipoff of a white Toyota bakkie that was parked in Tzaneen industrial area loaded with illicit cigarettes. The police searched and seized about 5350 cartoons of illicit Express Royal cigarettes with an estimated market value of R152 320.
Further investigations by the Hawks led to the arrest of Zafer Villah Khan and a co accused. The case against the second accused was later withdrawn. Khan was out on R5000-00 bail.
