âââ KATLEHO MORAPELA 06:54 Wed, 07 Jul 2021 A truck driver arrested in North West with illicit cigarettes worth nearly R5 million has been convicted by the Zeerust Magistrateâs Court. Petrus Toppies was driving from Zambia to South Africa on 8 June when he was stopped and arrested at the Kopfontein border post. OFM News last month reported that the truck he was driving was searched and 355 master cases of illicit cigarettes worth over R4.8 million were found. The 53-year-old initially told the police he was transporting liquid molasses for cows, but upon investigation, the Pacific Blue cigarettes were discovered. Police spokesperson, Sam Tselanyane, said the driver was immediately arrested and the liquid molasses were drained as it is not suitable for use in South Africa.