Two people aged 34 and 46 have been arrested by police in Limpopo for contravention of the Customs and Excise Act and possession of illicit hookahs worth about R3.8 million.
A hookah is a single or multi-stemmed water pipe that is used for heating or vaporising, and then smoking specially made tobacco mixtures that come in a wide variety of flavours.
The arrest was made along the R521 Road in the Mogwadi policing area, according to provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
“Members of the Capricorn district Flying Squad tactically approached a white Man Rigid truck and stopped it along the R521 at Mogwadi. This after information was received that the said truck with two suspects, a driver and passenger was transporting illicit goods,” he said.
Upon searching the truck, Ledwaba said police found 908 boxes containing premium hookah flavours, wrapped with plastic.
“The illicit hookahs were confiscated at an estimated value of R3.8 million. The suspects failed to provide the necessary documents of the goods. Police immediately placed them under arrest for possession of illicit hookahs and contravention of customs. Members of the SA Revenue Service (SARS) were also summoned to the scene,” said Ledwaba.
During the arrest, one of the suspects allegedly tried to bribe police officers, and an additional charge of bribery was added against him.
The truck with a value of R400,000 was also confiscated.
Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the police officers “for accurately responding to the information received”, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
The arrested duo is set to appear before the Mogwadi Magistrate’s Court facing charges of possession of illicit hookahs, contravention of the Customs and Excise Act, and bribery.
IOL