2 Zimbabweans Arrested As Police Uncover R2 Million Cigarette Haul Beneath Coal
Two Zimbabwean nationals have been arrested after police discovered 4,800 cartons of illicit cigarettes worth about R2 million (approximately US$124,844) hidden beneath a load of coal at the Groblersbrug Port of Entry in Limpopo, South Africa, on Friday, 21 August 2026.
Cigarettes Hidden Under Coal Load
According to SABC News, police acted on information received from members of the community before stopping and searching the truck.
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers said the cigarettes had been concealed underneath the coal.
“At Groblersbridge today we confiscated 4,800 cartons of cigarettes to the value of almost R2 million.”
Scheepers said the truck was normally used to transport coal and that two Zimbabwean nationals were arrested during the operation.
“We got information from the community and stopped the truck. We inspected the truck, the cigarettes were underneath the coal. We arrested two Zimbabwean nationals that were trying to bring those cigarettes into the country.”
R600 Million Drug Lab Bust Hours Earlier
The cigarette seizure came only hours after police uncovered a suspected drug manufacturing laboratory in Musina.
Authorities reportedly seized drugs and laboratory equipment with an estimated street value of R600 million (about US$37.45 million), together with an undisclosed amount of cash. Five suspects were arrested.
The 2 operations were carried out in Limpopo on 21 August as police continued investigations into the seized goods and the suspects.
The cigarette haul was valued at approximately US$124,844 using the 22 August 2026 USD/ZAR rate of about R16.02 to US$1.
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