Sedibeng POPS members arrest foreign national with R55,000 in illicit cigarettes

VAAL TRIANGLE - The Vanderbijlpark SAPS says the Sedibeng Public Order Police Service (POPS) arrested one Bangladesh foreign national for possessing 525 illicit cigarette cartons worth R55,000. Police spokesperson, Sgt Sabelo Sigcu, said in a statement POPS members allegedly received a tip-off and proceeded to a business on the R42 Barrage Road where they found the 39-year-old suspect and the illicit cigarettes. During the process of the arrest, another Bangladesh foreign national, aged 29, came by and tried to bribe the members on duty not to arrest his friend with R5,000. He was also arrested for trying to bribe police officials and will be charged for bribery. Sigcu said the charges placed on both suspects are being further investigated. The Station Commander, Brigadier Nikiwe Sefatsa, applauded the members effecting both arrests for the good work in curbing criminal activities, and for their loyalty. The police encouraged the community to report any criminal activities in their area to their nearest police station, as these arrests occurred due to a community tip-off.

PHOTO: (Vanderbijlpark SAPS)