The police in Musina have arrested a 28-year-old male suspect, an undocumented person for possession of illicit cigarettes. Meanwhile a manhunt has been launched for six unknown suspects who evaded an arrest during a cross fire along the N1 Highway on Sunday, 27 August 2023 at about 21:20.
The Vhembe Trio Task Team were conducting an operation on Sunday, 27 August 2023 and arrested a 28-year-old male suspect driving a motor vehicle white Nissan NP200 with registration numbers FG 29 YT GP along N1 the Highway next to the Baobab Toll Plaza from Musina to Makhado. Upon searching the vehicle they recovered illicit cigarettes fully loaded in the van. The estimated street value of the recovered cigarettes is at R348 000-00.
The 28-year-old suspect is expected to appear before Musina Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of possession of illicit cigarettes and violation of Immigration Act.
In a separate incident, a suspicious motor vehicle, a white SUV Ford Territory with registration numbers DB07LP GP was driving along the N1 Highway to the southern direction after the Baobab Toll Plaza followed by the SAPS Vhembe Trio Crime Task Team suddenly the white Ford turned into the Hamatsa gravel road towards Mphephu. Behind the police vehicle came another suspicious motor vehicle a maroon SUV Ford Territory with registration numbers BY29PW GP.
It is alleged that suddenly shots were fired from the white Ford to the direction of police. Subsequently, the police responded and cross fire ensued whereby the driver of the white Ford lost control of the car and it overturned and the suspects managed to flee on foot.
In the same incident, the maroon Ford passed the police vehicle and eventually pulled off the road near Waterpoort road and came to a halt due to mechanical breakdown and the suspects also fled the scene on foot.
Another motor vehicle a white Nissan Almera with unknown registration numbers picked up the suspects and drove away with them.
The police confiscated illicit cigarettes worth R500 000-00 and two motor vehicles.
The police are hard on the heels of the suspects.
Anyone with information that can assist to arrest the suspects should contact the Investigating Officer Lieutenant Colonel Bez Bezuidenhout at 082 414 8474, alternatively report to the nearest police station or to Crime Stop at 08600 10111 and can also share it on MySASPApp.
Police investigations are continuing.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48085.
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