Millions of illegal cigarettes were recovered from an LP Gas tanker in BelaBela (Warmbaths) after being inspected by police on 31 May 2013.
The cigarettes were concealed in hidden compartments within the tanker, which entered South Africa via the Groblersbrug border post between Botswana and South Africa.
Authorities from the South African Police Service recovered illegal Dullahs, Mega and Remington Gold cigarettes with a street value of R2,2 million. The cigarettes which were non-compliant with the Tobacco
Products Control Act and the Customs and Excise Act, appear to have been destined for the South African market. Upon further investigation, authorities confirmed that the tanker did not belong to LP Gas and that the driver had no supporting documentation for the vehicle or for the cigarettes. The trailer, together with the illegal cigarettes, was seized by SAPS and the driver was arrested.
The illegal trade in cigarettes continues to be of major concern to authorities, with estimates putting it at 30% of the total cigarette market in South Africa. A significant number of illegal cigarettes make their way into the country via the Zimbabwe and Botswana border posts every day, despite concerted efforts by authorities to curb the growing illegal trade.
According to Francois van der Merwe, Chairman of the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa, SAPS are to be commended on their swift action leading to the seizure and arrest. ?The sale of these illegal cigarettes would have amounted to an almost R1.8 million revenue loss to government, due to non-declaration and non-payment of excise duties and VAT?.
TISA has been actively working towards a more collaborative approach in combating illicit trade not only in South Africa, but across the Southern African region. Memoranda of Understanding on an approach towards tackling the illegal cigarette trade have been concluded with all SACU countries as well as Mozambique. Because illicit trade occurs within countries and across borders, it is necessary to work together within a legitimate framework to curb the growing tide of illegal trading.
“Although significant progress has already been made to curb this growing tide, we believe that there should be increased resource allocation to enable greater law enforcement on the borders, and within the country where illicit trading is increasing as well as dedicated investigation teams. Furthermore, a co-ordinated approach involving SACU and SADC law enforcement authorities is needed to really eliminate the illicit trade in cigarettes. TISA remains committed to working with all the relevant parties in efforts to eradicate the illegal trade in tobacco products,” Van der Merwe concluded.