Mehedi Hasan (25), Omar Faruk (25), Mohamed Rubel (35) and Palash Mohosin (38) appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 01 February 2024, on charges under Section 80 (1) of Customs and Goods Act 90 of 1964 dealing and possession of illicit cigarettes.
The four were arrested at Potchefstroom during an intelligence driven disruptive operation conducted by the Klerksdorp and Rustenburg based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) on Tuesday, 30 January 2024.
Search and seizure warrants were executed at various business premises of the suspects where the team allegedly found different brands of illicit cigarettes to the total value of R279 273-00.
They were arrested and appeared before court on Thursday, 01 February 2024. They were remanded in custody for further investigation and they will reappear before the same court on 06 February 2024.
