By Thokozani Mazibuko
South African Police on Monday made a breakthrough by arresting two suspects from Eswatini after they were found in possession of more than E4.7 million worth of dagga.
The two Swati men aged 33 and 34, it is said, were spotted and arrested after an intense search at the Oshoek Ports of Entry in the Republic of South Africa.
Oshoek is one of the main border gates between Eswatini and the Republic of South Africa but the SAPS on their website did not mention if the arrested duo were entering SA or were leaving for Eswatini.
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“The SAPS members from Border Policing made a breakthrough by arresting two suspects, aged 33 and 34 after being found in possession of more than R4.7 million worth of dagga near Oshoek Ports of Entry on Monday, 22 April 2024,” the SAPS was quoted in its official Facebook page yesterday.
It is said that the members of the SAPS were doing their routine patrol duties near the Redhill-off ramp when they spotted a white Toyota Hilux, branded with a certain Courier company logo.
Upon stopping this vehicle, the report discloses that they conducted a thorough search and it was during this time when the astute members discovered large wrapped packages, loaded with 1,133 kg of dagga at the back of the bakkie.
It is said that the estimated street value of the dagga is at about R4, 758, 600, 00 and according to the report, it was also during this period when the two male suspects were apprehended and charged for dealing in dagga.
Meanwhile, this is not the only major bust, but it has also been reported on the SAPS website that the border policing unit has arrested a 43-year-old truck driver from the Kingdom of Eswatini for allegedly attempting to smuggle dagga into South Africa.
In a statement on Friday, the SAPS said the male suspect was apprehended at the Oshoek Port of Entry in the early hours of Thursday morning, last week.
According to police, at around 00:30 am, the suspect was searched by members of the SAPS on the arrivals side of the port of entry.
“It was during this search that the astute members discovered the dagga concealed under a load of timber. As a result, the driver was detained and charged accordingly,” the statement said.
A total of 150kgs of dagga with an estimated street value of R630 840 was seized.
The truck, with number plates from the Kingdom of Eswatini, was confiscated together with the seized dagga for further investigation.
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The suspect is expected to appear at the Elukwatini Magistrate’s Court today.
Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner of the Police, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, in the statement applauded the members for their dedication.
“The continuous arrests and successes witnessed at the borders prove that indeed the members are working with diligence. They are doing an excellent job daily,” General Manamela said.
