A coordinated law enforcement operation in Nirvana, Polokwane, led to the seizure of illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R25 million and the arrest of a 39-year-old suspect on Wednesday.
The operation, carried out on 11 March 2026 within the Westenburg SAPS precinct in the Capricorn District, was prompted by intelligence regarding a warehouse suspected of storing illegal tobacco products. A joint team comprising SAPS and Customs officials from Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State, and Limpopo converged on the premises to conduct a search.
During the search, authorities confiscated large quantities of illicit cigarettes. A 39-year-old Indian national, who is believed to be the manager of the warehouse, was taken into custody. He faces charges for contravening the Customs and Excise Act.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, visited the scene alongside senior provincial management. She was accompanied by Major General Govender, Capricorn District Commissioner Major General Mashilo, as well as members from various units including ORS, POP, TRT, DPCI, and the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The arrested suspect is scheduled to make his first appearance before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 13 March 2026. Police have indicated that investigations are ongoing and further arrests are anticipated as efforts intensify to dismantle the criminal network involved in the illicit cigarette trade.