R1million worth of contraband cigarettes seized

Contraband cigarettes with a street value of R1 million were confiscated at an accident scene on the N12 near Kimberley, Northern Cape police said on Tuesday.

Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said a truck and a silver Volkwagen Polo collided on Monday, 5km outside Kimberley.

"The truck was disguised as if it was transporting high-tech industrial tools.

"However to our dismay during investigation on the accident scene, we discovered that boxes of illicit cigarette worth over a million rand were stashed at the back of the truck in transit to Cape Town."

The truck was travelling from Johannesburg.

The driver of the truck and his co-driver were arrested and charged with possession of illicit cigarettes.

"The suspects, aged 48 and 49, will be appearing before the Kimberley Magistrate's Court soon. No person sustained injuries during the accident," said Tawana.