In a major bust on Friday night, police in Delmas arrested a 43-year-old man from the Kingdom of Eswatini for possession of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R17.4 million.
The operation unfolded on the evening of Friday, 05 December 2025, at approximately 22:00 in Sundra. According to police reports, Delmas police, assisted by members from the Sundra Police Station and private security companies, acted on intelligence regarding illicit cigarettes being transported concealed in water tanks.
A truck pulling two trailers was identified and stopped in Sundra. The vehicle was carrying twelve 5,000-litre water tanks. A subsequent inspection revealed that the tanks were not carrying water but were instead filled to capacity with cartons of various brands of illicit cigarettes.
Law enforcement officials recovered a total of 25 pallets of the contraband goods. The suspect was immediately placed under arrest for possession of illicit goods.
The 43-year-old Eswatini national is scheduled to make his first appearance before the Delmas District Court on Monday, 08 December 2025.