Foreign national arrested with stolen alcohol and cigarettes worth R1,7 million at an estate

In a big breakthrough on Thursday, 06 June 2024, police members involved in an integrated operation recovered a consignment of presumed stolen cigarettes and alcohol. This recovery is linked to truck hijackings.

Reports indicate that police responded to a hijacking in Klapmuts over a week ago. The investigation revealed that the hijacked delivery vehicle had been driven to an unknown location. Intelligence gathering regarding possible escape routes and suspicious warehouses led the integrated crime combatting team to a storage facility in Burgundy Estate.

Upon arrival, police discovered a large consignment of alcohol and cigarettes. An adult male at the warehouse, a foreign national, was unable to provide proof of purchase for the goods and was subsequently arrested.

The 52-year-old suspect faces charges of possession of presumed stolen property and is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 10 June 2024.

Western Cape Police Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Thembisile Patekile, commended the relentless efforts of all officers involved in the operation, emphasizing the importance of bringing perpetrators to justice.

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