South African soldiers have seized illicit cigarettes and marijuana (mbanje) valued at over 1.4 million rands along the South Africa and Zimbabwe border.
In a statement, South African National Defence Force (SANDF)’s Captain Moses Semono revealed that the goods were confiscated by soldiers from the fourth Artillery Regiment Swartwater, Pontdrift, Musina, Male Village, Neltox Farm and Dongola Ranch. He said:
The total value of all the confiscations was R1 477 228.00. Soldiers arrested one suspect who was handed over to the South African Police Service at Groblersbridge Port of Entry.
… In all incidents where cigarettes were confiscated, there were no arrests made.
Captain Semono said in Swartwater, soldiers confiscated marijuana valued at R33 750.00, while in Pontdrift, illicit cigarettes valued at R374 719.00 were impounded.
At Dongola Ranch, soldiers confiscated R267 789.00 worth of illicit cigarettes, said Semono. Other seizures included:
- R613 962.00 worth of illicit cigarettes were confiscated at the weighbridge in Musina
- R26 430.00 worth of illicit cigarettes were confiscated at Male Village
- R160 578.00 worth of illicit cigarettes were confiscated at Neltox Farm in the Madimbo area.
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