Polokwane – A coordinated law enforcement operation led to the seizure of illicit cigarettes valued at approximately R25 million and the arrest of a 39-year-old man in Nirvana, Polokwane, the South African Police Service (SAPS) reported.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, targeted a warehouse in the Westenburg SAPS precinct of the Capricorn District, which authorities said was being used to store large quantities of contraband cigarettes.
“The operation was based on intelligence indicating the premises were being used for illicit cigarette storage,” SAPS stated in a social media post.
A multi-disciplinary team, including SAPS and Customs officials from Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State, and Limpopo, conducted the raid. Large volumes of illicit cigarettes were confiscated, and the 39-year-old Indian national, believed to be managing the warehouse, was arrested for contravening the Customs and Excise Act.
#sapsLIM A multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation led to the discovery of a warehouse allegedly used to store illicit cigarettes worth approximately R25 million and the arrest of a 39-year-old suspect in Nirvana, Polokwane.
The operation, conducted on, 11/03, in the… pic.twitter.com/j1CoOjyvr4
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 12, 2026
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, led the provincial management at the scene, accompanied by Major General Govender, Capricorn District Commissioner Major General Mashilo, and members of ORS, POP, TRT, DPCI, and SARS.
“This seizure highlights our commitment to combating organised crime and the illicit tobacco trade,” Lieutenant General Hadebe said. “The suspect will face the full consequences of the law, and investigations continue to dismantle the network behind this illegal activity.”
The arrested man is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 13 March 2026. SAPS confirmed that further arrests are anticipated as authorities continue to investigate the criminal network responsible for the illicit cigarette operations.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
