Foreign national arrested in Limpopo after police seize R150,000 in illicit cigarettes

A 42-year-old foreign national was arrested in Lephalale after police seized illicit cigarettes estimated at R150,000. Members of the Lephalale K9 Unit and Crime Prevention Unit detained the man on Friday, 02 October 2026, at around 1pm, the South African Police Service said.

How the arrest unfolded

Police said officers on duty noticed the man carrying a large bag and followed him on foot when he entered a supermarket.

“He was followed on foot and entered a supermarket. Police requested to search the bag and found illicit cigarettes inside,”

police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.

Upon questioning, the suspect allegedly told officers he had stored more cigarettes at a rental premises and that the cigarettes were not legal in South Africa. Officers proceeded to the rental property, where they found and seized a large quantity of illicit cigarettes.

Charges and next steps

The suspect was arrested for dealing in and possession of illicit cigarettes, Ledwaba said. The seized stock is estimated to be worth R150,000. The man is expected to appear before the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 05 October 2026, and police investigations are continuing.

Related enforcement activity

Ledwaba also described a separate, recent operation in Limpopo in which Mankweng Crime Prevention Unit officers pursued a white Mercedes-Benz travelling at speed on the D4040 road at Ga-Rampheri at 2:50am. The vehicle was followed to the Astron Garage at Ga-Chuene, within the Lebowakgomo policing area, where the driver abandoned the car and fled into nearby bushes.

Officers seized illicit cigarettes worth about R100,000 from the vehicle. The driver evaded arrest and remains at large, and police said investigations into that incident are continuing.

What police say next

Police have not released further details. Investigations into both incidents remain ongoing, the SAPS said.