A suspect remains at large after abandoning a vehicle loaded with illicit cigarettes during a police operation in the Waterberg district on Tuesday.
Acting on a tip-off from a reliable source, members of the Waterberg Flying Squad conducted an operation along the Percy Five road. The intelligence indicated a grey Toyota Hilux was suspected of transporting illicit goods.
The operation, which ran from 06:00 to 18:00 on 20 January 2026, was compromised when the driver of the targeted vehicle spotted the police and fled on foot into nearby bushes, evading capture.
Upon searching the abandoned Toyota Hilux, police discovered and seized 186 cartons of illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R18,500. The vehicle was also confiscated for further investigation.
Police spokesperson confirmed that investigations into the incident are continuing as they work to identify and locate the suspect.
