Almost R2 million worth of illicit cigarettes has been discovered hidden underneath a truckload of coal at the Groblersbrug Port of Entry in Limpopo.
Two men, aged 23 and 35, were arrested following the seizure at the border post on Friday, 21 August 2026.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), members of Border Policing and Customs received information at around 11:00 about a truck suspected of transporting illicit cigarettes through the port.
The truck was intercepted after entering the port and subjected to a preliminary inspection.
Officials reportedly became suspicious that prohibited goods could be concealed underneath the coal load and moved the truck to a designated search area for a more thorough inspection.
The coal was then offloaded.
Beneath the load, officials discovered bags containing master cartons of illicit cigarettes.
Read | Truck Smuggling R1.5 Million Worth of Cigarettes and Creams Nabbed at Groblersbrug
A total of 4,800 cartons were seized, consisting of 4,050 cartons of Remington Gold and 750 cartons of Swan cigarettes.
The estimated value of the cigarette haul is R1,996,800.
Police and Customs officials also seized the white and red international truck used to transport the load, together with two Afrit Tubmaster tipper trailers. The vehicles have an estimated combined value of R854,250.
The two suspects, both Zimbabwean nationals, are expected to appear before the Phalala Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 August.
They are facing a charge relating to the smuggling of illicit cigarettes.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers welcomed the arrests and praised the cooperation between law-enforcement agencies operating at the country’s ports of entry.
“The cooperation between law-enforcement agencies at our ports of entry remains critical in disrupting these criminal networks,” said Scheepers.
Police investigations into the alleged smuggling operation are continuing.
The seizure highlights the lengths to which criminal networks allegedly go to conceal illicit tobacco shipments, with the cigarettes in this case hidden beneath a seemingly ordinary load of coal travelling through one of the country’s busy border crossings.
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