Police and MTRS seize illicit cigarettes and dagga during the Safer Festive Season in Senwabarwana and Phaudi Policing Precinct

POLOKWANE - The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo continues to intensify Safer Festive Season Operations, yielding notable successes across the Province.

On Wednesday, 12 November 2025, the Provincial Intervention Shanela II Team, in collaboration with Mighty Tactical Reaction Services , acted on intelligence regarding a blue Volkswagen Jetta with Gauteng registration allegedly used to transport illicit cigarettes. Following up on the information, the team located and stopped the identified vehicle. A search revealed 22 master boxes containing cartons of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R132 000. Two suspects, a 35-year-old Zimbabwean national and a 61-year-old South African male from Everton, were arrested on the scene. The vehicle and illicit cigarettes were confiscated.

In a separate incident on the same day, the team arrested a 43-year-old South African male in Kanana Village under the Phaudi policing area for dealing and supplying dagga valued at approximately R8 000. An undisclosed amount of cash believed to be proceeds from drug dealing was also confiscated. Additionally, two suspects were arrested for selling illicit cigarettes in the Senwabarwana policing area.