DURBAN - The SANDF intercepted a truck travelling from Mozambique along the N4 near Komatipoort with over R14 million worth of illegal skin lightening products last week.
In a statement today, the SANDF commended seven South African Infantry Battalion soldiers who were involved in the operation in Mpumalanga.
SANDF Captain A Tamela from the joint tactical headquarters in Mpumalanga said that on December 8, the soldiers received information about a truck that was carrying illegal goods from Mozambique.
“The truck was intercepted along the N4 near the Komatipoort area. On further inspection of the goods, it was established that the truck was loaded with bran on both sides but had boxes of skin-lightening creams in the middle of the load,” said Tamela.
Tamela said the truck was escorted to the SA Revenue Service (Sars) warehouse in Komatipoort.
The following contents were offloaded and handed over to Sars:
- 291 x boxes of Betasol;
- 15x boxes of Diproson.
- 36 x boxes of Epiderm Lotion.
- 5 x boxes of Carolight.
Tamela said the total estimated value of the creams was R 14 235 600.
Meanwhile in another joint operation, including members from the Detective Dog Unit Team 1 from Sars/CUSTOMS based at Beitbridge Port of Entry, members of the SANDF and 4 Artillery Regiment, confiscated illicit cigarettes valued at R617 628.
SANDF Captain Moses Semono said the smugglers attempted to flee back to Zimbabwe after they noticed that they had been seen.
Semono said the illicit cigarettes were handed over to Sars.
THE MERCURY