A 42 year old foreign national has been arrested in Lephalale after police seized illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R150,000, authorities said.
The arrest was made on Friday afternoon by members of the South African Police Service’s Lephalale K9 Unit and Crime Prevention Unit during an operation in the town.
Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said officers noticed the suspect carrying a large bag while they were conducting patrols.
According to Mashaba, police followed the man on foot after spotting him and watched as he entered a supermarket. Officers then stopped him and requested permission to search the bag, where they allegedly found illicit cigarettes.
“Upon questioning, the suspect allegedly indicated that he had stored more cigarettes at a rental premises,” Mashaba said.
The suspect also allegedly told police that the cigarettes were not legally permitted for sale in South Africa.
Officers subsequently went to the premises, where they discovered and seized a large quantity of additional illicit cigarettes, Mashaba said.
The man was arrested on charges relating to the dealing in and possession of illicit cigarettes.
Mashaba said the total value of the cigarettes seized was estimated at R150,000.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 5 October 2026
Police investigations are continuing.