A 41-year-old man has to serve an effective two years in prison or pay a R75 000 fine after he was caught in possession of a consignment of illicit cigarettes at the Ficksburg border post in the Free State in April 2022.
The Ficksburg Magistrate's Court sentenced Mahmad Asif Ahmed Shaikh after he was found guilty of contravening the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli said: