Four held with over 2 000 cartons of illegal cigarettes

Johannesburg - Four men were arrested in Pretoria after they were found in possession of 2 302 cartons of allegedly illegal cigarettes, Gauteng police said.

Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale said members of the flying squad received a complaint at 23:49 on Monday night of two vehicles that were driving recklessly on Church Street.

They got to the scene and saw the two bakkies driving at high speed. The police managed to pull the vehicles over.

"Upon searching the two vehicles, they found 2 302 cartons of Chelsea cigarettes which were allegedly destined for Midrand from Mokopane. The estimated street value of the cigarettes is R680 000," Mogale said.

"Further investigation revealed that both vehicles were reported stolen in Brackendowns [near Alberton] and Haartbeespoort [in the North West] this month and last month respectively."

 The four suspects were expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court soon on charges of possession of illegal cigarettes and possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles.