On Friday 03 February 2023, during the crime prevention operation in Brakpan and Springs areas, Members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Specialised Services with other Law Enforcement Agencies, apprehended three (3) male suspects, who are between the ages of 41 and 47, in the Springs area and illicit cigarettes, were seized.
Acting on a tip-off from a reliable source, Officers moved into a supermarket in the Springs area at 17h00, on 4th Avenue. Armed with the information that, there could be concealed illicit cigarettes, on the premises, the search was conducted, in the presence of the shop owner and his assistant. An underground storage room in the shop was spotted and Officers uncovered boxes of illicit cigarettes, with an estimated street value of thirty thousand rands (R30 000). As Law Enforcers were busy, a third male person, appeared and offered Officers a bribe of one thousand rands (R1 000), before all three (3) suspects, were handcuffed and taken to the Springs police station.
The trio, who are facing charges of ‘possession of illicit cigarettes’, interference and bribery, are expected to appear in the Springs Magistrate’s Court soon
The EMPD will sustain the momentum with other stakeholders, to crack down on crimes of this nature.
