Entjie smugglers’ dreams went up in smoke after police confiscated a stash worth more than a million rand at an informal settlement near Paarl.
Cops attached to the provincial integrated team and in conjunction with crime intelligence conducted a search operation in Mbekweni on Tuesday during which cigarettes and tobacco products were seized and four suspects were arrested in separate incidents.
During the operation, which ran from 6pm until midnight, officers seized 2290 packets of entjies and tobacco products with an estimated value of R1.1 million at an abandoned house.
The sale of tobacco products and cigarettes has been banned during lockdown.
Tobacco companies are fighting the ban in court.
A total of R82 580 in cash was also found abandoned at the address.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said those responsible for the goods were being sought and no arrests had been made.
Earlier operations yielded success as four suspects in the area were arrested for the possession of drugs and money.
Traut said officers raided six premises and arrested the four suspects, who were found in possession of dagga, tik and mandrax tablets and R5244 in cash.
“The main focus of the operation was the illegal trade of illicit goods and drugs,” Traut said.
The suspects have appeared in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court on drug-related charges.