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Ali Maratab, a 40-year-old Pakistani national, has been found guilty and sentenced by the Mbombela Specialised Commercial Crimes court for contravening the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.
The incident unfolded on 21 June 2023, when authorities received information about a shop allegedly selling illicit cigarettes. Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and Customs Enforcement Officials (SARS) swiftly took action, conducting an ad-hoc police operation under Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act. Successful “test buys” were executed by an agent, leading to the issuance and execution of a search and seizure warrant at “Nadmad Trading” in Nelspruit. During the search, illicit cigarettes (Remington Gold Blue) were discovered and confiscated, resulting in the arrest and detention of Maratab. Subsequently, he appeared in court and was released on bail pending further proceedings.
After attending court on multiple occasions, Maratab was found guilty and sentenced by the Mbombela Specialised Commercial Crimes court on Thursday, 18 April 2024. The court imposed a fine of R10,000 or six months imprisonment, along with the forfeiture of the illicit cigarettes to the state.
Major General Gerber, the Provincial Head of the Hawks, commended the collaborative efforts of the investigative team and the swift resolution of the case. He also expressed gratitude to the community of Mpumalanga for providing crucial information leading to the conviction. “As the Hawks, we remain committed to safeguarding the security and prosperity of our citizens by thoroughly investigating cases that threaten our economy and undermine the state’s revenue,” he affirmed.
