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Vigilant police officers arrested a 29-year-old male and confiscated dagga worth an estimated R102,000 as it was allegedly being smuggled into South Africa from the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The operation took place on Thursday night, 12 December 2024, during routine patrols under Operation Safer Festive along the N2 road in Mahamba, near Piet Retief. Officers became suspicious after spotting a parked truck near the Eswatini border.
According to police reports, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) observed the truck picking up a hitchhiker before setting off. The officers followed the vehicle, stopping it shortly afterwards for inspection. During the search, four large bags of compressed dagga were discovered. The narcotics were tightly wrapped in sellotape and concealed within black refuse bags inside the truck’s compartments.
The seized dagga weighed approximately 40 kilograms, leading to the estimated street value of R102,000.
Preliminary investigations suggest the consignment was destined for KwaZulu-Natal Province. Police have arrested the driver, who now faces charges of dealing in dagga as well as contravening the Immigration Act. Officials from the Department of Home Affairs are assisting with the investigation, and additional charges may follow.
The suspect is due to appear at the Mkhondo Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 13 December 2024.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the officers for their swift action and reiterated the SAPS’s commitment to tackling cross-border and drug-related crime.
“The police will continue working tirelessly to combat smuggling and other criminal activities along our borders,” Mkhwanazi said.
