The Hawks arrested three officials who were allegedly in cahoots with cigarette smugglers. Photo: SAPS

LIMPOPO – The Hawks arrested a police constable, a paramedic and a former SARS quality assurer from Musina yesterday on charges that range from defeating the ends of justice and money laundering to corruption.

The men (aged 35-43) were allegedly in cahoots with cigarette smugglers in the Musina area. According to a police spokesperson, “It is alleged that the three suspects accepted bribes from the suspects and thereafter escorted the vehicles carrying illicit cigarettes using police marked vehicles and ambulances, ensuring the suspects evaded arrest by other law enforcement agencies.”

Last week a further three constables were arrested in the area. The three suspects will appear in the Musina magistrate’s court on Friday.