Two suspects aged 60 and 45 were arrested by #SAPS members attached to the Infrastructure Task Team, Highway Patrol Shift A, Viljoendrift Shift, together with Gauteng Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG), for possession of illicit cigarettes and bribery following an operation conducted on the R57 route near Zamdela on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at about 08:30.
Acting on intelligence-driven information, members followed up on a truck travelling along the R57 road. The truck was successfully stopped and escorted to Zamdela SAPS for further inspection and searching.
During the process, the suspects allegedly offered members a bribe of R900.00 in an attempt to prevent the search from being conducted, as they were unable to provide invoices for the goods being transported.
Upon searching the truck, police discovered 499 boxes of illicit cigarettes concealed beneath 74 boxes of foam cups. The estimated value of the illicit cigarettes is approximately R3 119 750.00.
The two suspects are expected to appear before the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes and bribery.
#FightingCrime #IllicitTrade #StopIllicitTrade
Suspects arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes and bribery on the R57 route near Zamdelahttps://t.co/70P3oCGoty#ArriveAlive #Crime @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/dcDFl2u52L
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) May 22, 2026
