According to Colonel Daniel Mdluli, who spoke on behalf of the Border Policing unit, three suspects trying to bring dagga into South Africa were caught by sharp-eyed officers.
In one case, on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024, around 5:30 AM, police officers stopped a silver Toyota Hilux with Gauteng plates near Oshoek. They found dagga hidden in different parts of the vehicle, like next to the engine and behind the rear seat. The total amount of dagga seized was 32.2 kg, worth about R135,240.
A 37-year-old man from Eswatini was arrested for dealing in dagga, and the vehicle was confiscated.In another incident, on March 4th, 2024, at around 7:00 PM, a 45-year-old man from Eswatini was caught with dagga hidden in the back of a truck’s trailer. The dagga weighed 13 kg, valued at about R54,600.
Both the truck and the dagga were confiscated, and the suspect is awaiting trial.Lastly, on the same day, police caught a man with 1.9 kg of dagga during patrols on the R65 Road. The dagga’s street value was estimated at around R7,980. The suspect is set to appear in court on March 6th, 2024.
In response to these arrests, the SAPS management in Mpumalanga assured the public that they are committed to keeping the borders safe from illegal activities. These arrests highlight the dedication of law enforcement officers in preventing illegal substances from entering the country.
