Another drug bust at Nyonyane, woman arrested
The dagga the woman was arrested for
By Thokozani Mazibuko
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has escalated its war against illegal drug cultivation and trafficking following yet another major dagga destruction operation in the Nyonyane area.
On Tuesday, officers from the Anti-Narcotics Unit descended on the rural community, targeting large swathes of dagga fields to curb the production of the illicit crop.
According to police reports, approximately twenty-seven (27) hectares of dagga were destroyed using advanced drone spraying technology, while an additional thirty-five (35) hectares were cleared using conventional ground spraying methods.
Deputy Police Information and Communication Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed the development and stressed that the exercise formed part of the broader national campaign to suppress drug-related crime.
“This operation demonstrates our continued commitment to rooting out drug cultivation and trafficking, which remains a serious threat to public safety and the country’s moral fabric,” she said.
During the raid, police also arrested a local woman who was allegedly found in possession of a bag of dagga. She is set to appear before the Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Court on Wednesday, where she will face charges related to the possession of illegal drugs.
Police say the arrest highlights how some individuals in rural communities continue to engage in dagga farming as a means of livelihood, despite repeated awareness campaigns and tough penalties for offenders.
Over the years, Eswatini has been identified as one of the Southern African countries grappling with dagga cultivation, particularly in remote areas where law enforcement often faces logistical challenges.
However, the adoption of modern technologies, including the use of drones in aerial spraying, has enabled the Anti-Narcotics Unit to conduct more effective and wide-reaching operations.
The REPS have urged community members to play an active role in reporting cases of illegal drug farming and trafficking, warning that the fight against narcotics cannot be won without grassroots cooperation.
The destruction of over 60 hectares of dagga in Nyonyane marks one of the largest anti-drug operations in the region this year and underscores the police service’s unwavering stance against drug-related crimes.