
21/08/2025
A multidisciplinary Inter Provincial Cross Border operation comprising of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State provinces successfully disrupted the trade and distribution of illicit ci******es in and around Colesberg on Wednesday, 20 August 2025.
Members of Colesberg SAPS, Kuyasa SAPS, Crime Intelligence and SARS Customs acted on intelligence and approached a general dealer in Kerk Street, Colesberg, where illicit cigarette trading was suspected.
Search warrants were obtained and executed, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit ci******es valued at approximately R370 000.
A suspicious truck parked next to the store was also searched. Police discovered a further consignment of counterfeit ci******es valued at approximately R2,5 million, which was seized as well as the truck.
The operation continued at a filling station in Station Road, Colesberg, where additional counterfeit ci******es worth an estimated R590 000 were confiscated.
The total estimated value of the seized ci******es and the truck stands at R7,5 million.
The owners were issued a seven-day notice to provide original documentation for the goods.