By Bahle Gama
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) destroyed drugs with an estimated street value of E15.8 million at the Matsapha Municipality Landfill on Wednesday.
Three types of drugs were destroyed namely Heroin with a street value of E15.6 million, Mandrax at E170,000, and Crystal Meth at E98,400.
According to Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer (PICO) Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, the destroyed drugs are from cases that the court has finalized.
Mnguni said these drugs were reported dating back to 2021 and when the cases were concluded, they applied to destroy them as per protocol.
She stated that the heroin weighing 156 kg and crystal meth were seized from suspects at Lavumisa and Nsoko in the Shiselweni region. Meanwhile, 1,968 tablets of Mandrax were seized at the Ngwenya border post while in transit.
The process of destroying the drugs was carried out in the presence of Senior Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati who commended the police for nabbing the criminals responsible for smuggling contraband through Eswatini.
“Vilakati lamented that drugs such as heroin are highly addictive and negatively affect one’s life, specifically the youth.
He reiterated that the possession of drugs without a licence or permit remains illegal in the country,” Mnguni stated.
In response to whether these drugs were manufactured in the country, she said such was not the case but nabbed whilst in transit to the countries being sold to.
She further warned emaSwati against using these drugs as she stated that when the drugs were destroyed, some melted and immediately turned into stone, which is likely what happened to the user.
“People who use these drugs tend to run out of funds and they end up committing crimes to fund their lifestyle and we advise emaSwati to refrain from such conduct that could endanger or destroy their lives,” Mnguni stated.
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Worth noting is that in July 2023 a liSwati truck driver was arrested by the Hawks after he was nabbed transporting heroin worth E75 million.
The driver was caught driving into South Africa and it was gathered that the drugs, which were destined for the international market and were coming from Mozambique made his appearance at the Carolina Magistrates Court.
The REPS has continued to intensify its efforts in fighting drug dealing and trafficking in the country as one of the factors that fuel crime.
According to statistics, the most prevalent illicit drug in the country is cannabis as more arrests and seizures made are of the possession of dagga with several emaSwati being nabbed for the offence in neighbouring countries.
The REPS continue to conduct operations to the extent of engaging with South African counterparts to destroy dagga fields that are hard to reach.
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In 2023, over 1,700 people were arrested for the illegal possession of, trafficking, and dealing in illicit drugs in the country.
These statistics have been deemed concerning by different organisations because those arrested include underage children.
Worth noting is that on April 22, at 7:15, a 31-year-old man of Sitfwetfweni was arrested and charged for the illegal possession of dagga weighing 174.3 kg without a licence at Nsongweni whilst driving a white Ford Ranger.
