Sars customs unit seizes truck with cigarettes
THE SA Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division has intercepted a truck carrying 440 master boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes, with an estimated total value of R9 million, which were falsely declared as cotton oil cake.
Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the customs officer conducting a random inspection on Saturday became suspicious when the value of the goods declared on the document and the load on the truck did not match.
Upon questioning the driver, the answers were inconsistent with the document. “He then redirected the truck to the inspection ramp, unpacked the load, and discovered goods hidden under the cotton oil cake.
“The truck and the goods were detained and booked in the Sars state warehouse, and the suspect or driver was arrested and handed over to the SAPS.”
Kieswetter applauded the officers for their dedication and commitment to protecting the country’s economy.
“Sars, acting in accordance with its strategic objective of making it hard and costly for taxpayers and traders who are wilfully defrauding the state, will be dealt with forcefully and mercilessly.
“Sars, working with other law-enforcement agencies, remains resolute in dealing with criminality and non-compliance with the country’s customs law,” Kieswetter said.
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune District police in Limpopo arrested 10 suspects aged between 20 and 39 for offences ranging from possession of illicit cigarettes to illegal immigration during a joint operation on May 18.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said six suspects were arrested for illegal immigration.
Two of them are suspected of possession and dealing in illicit cigarettes, one for illegal gambling, and one for dealing in drugs.
“They seized 721 packets of Remington Gold illicit cigarettes, R5 000 in cash, 15 packets of Shasha illicit cigarettes, 83 sachets of nyaope and 20 sachets of rock,” said Ledwaba.
The suspects are due in court soon. The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, appreciated the efforts displayed by the police when performing their daily duties.