A highly sensitive operation – led by national Crime Intelligence members, with assistance from the Durban Metro Police Tactical Support Unit and the Hawks – took place earlier today.
Two storage facilities, in Avoca and Briardene, were hit after a driver for the syndicate was intercepted by police.
Search warrants for the cigarette distribution centres had already been granted based on active investigations.
Both searches resulted in the recovery of about R41-million in illicit cigarettes.
SARS Customs and Excise was called in to assist at the scenes, which are still being processed.
The matter is still under investigation, with arrests expected soon.
Tags: illicit cigarettes
