Gqeberha: 9 March 2023: Illicit trade is one of the biggest threats to the economy in this country. This threat affects various industries which includes but is not limited to alcohol, cigarettes, pharmaceuticals and food hence law enforcement must make every effort to clamp down on these illegal traders. On Tuesday, 7 March 2023, Gqeberha Border Policing received information about illicit cigarettes and Schedule 5 and 6 medication at two houses in Malabar. An operational team was immediately mobilised and with the assistance of the Anti-Gang Unit, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and Rapid Rail, the houses were searched.
A total of 45 cases of illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R540 000 as well as Schedule 5 and 6 medication with an estimated value of R2 615 500 were confiscated. A 53 year old man was arrested at one of the houses for contravening the Medicines Control Act – illegal possession of Schedule 5 and 6 tablets.
Acting Provincial Commissioner, Maj Gen Zithulele Dladla hailed the confiscation as a huge success and added that,’ illicit trading and counterfeiting of goods robs the economy of taxes and in so doing impacts on government’s ability to effectively serve the people of this country. In efforts to stop illicit trading, we urge communities to report any suspicions to the police or through the toll-free hotline on 0800 014 856 which can be used anonymously.’