Musina – Customs officials in the border town in Limpopo this week seized illicit tobacco products worth more than R21 million and several illegal guns leading to three arrests.
As part of Operation Vala Umgodi, the SA Police Service Border Policing roving team deployed in Limpopo province in collaboration with SA Revenue Service Customs officials swooped on Wednesday, (25 September 2024).
“According to a preliminary report, the team obtained information that a consignment of illicit tobacco products (“hubbly bubbly”) was making its way on a truck through Musina,” said Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk.
“The truck was successfully intercepted by the members which led to the seizure of the illicit tobacco products and the arrest of the three suspects.”
Colonel Van Wyk said on the same day, a Vala Umgodi Mission Area Joint Operational Centre roving team comprising SAPS members from the Public Order Policing, Tactical Response Team, and drone pilots acted on the tip-off.
“This led to the arrest of five Zimbabwean nationals at an address in Musina for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition,” said Colonel Van Wyk.
“The team seized three firearms and 74 rounds of ammunition of different calibre.
“Further investigation revealed that one of these firearms is linked to a Potchefstroom house robbery case.
“At the same address, the team arrested three more Zimbabwean nationals for the possession of dagga.”
Colonel Van Wyk said more than 110 kilograms of dagga with an estimated street value of R137 000 was seized.
“These successes follow within days after police destroyed a man-made bridge over the Limpopo River near the Beit Bridge Border Post,” said Colonel Van Wyk.
She said within the first six months of its activation, Operation Vala Umgodi has recorded over 6 000 arrests from December 2023 to June 2024 countrywide.
