South African police have arrested six nationals of Eswatini in two separate operations in Mpumalanga Province, recovering dagga worth an estimated R1.95 million....
South African police have arrested six nationals of Eswatini in two separate operations in Mpumalanga Province, recovering dagga worth an estimated R1.95 million.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said five suspects, aged between 22 and 30, were arrested on October 23 during Safer Festive Season operations along the N2 road near the Commondale turn-off in Mahamba.
Police said officers conducting stop-and-search operations at about 9:40 p.m. intercepted a white Isuzu double-cab vehicle and discovered 33 rolls of dagga weighing approximately 125.2 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of R750,000.
The vehicle and the suspected drugs were seized for further investigation.
In a separate incident on October 22, police arrested another Eswatini national after recovering approximately 200 kilogrammes of dagga valued at R1.2 million in Carolina.
According to SAPS, officers on patrol along Voortrekker Street at about 5:20 a.m. spotted a suspicious grey Volkswagen Golf TSI with tinted windows.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly fled towards Wonderfontein Road, prompting a pursuit that ended near the Belfast turn-off.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of dagga concealed inside.
The driver was arrested and charged with dealing in dagga, while the vehicle and suspected drugs were seized.
All six suspects are expected to appear before the Piet Retief and Carolina Magistrates’ Courts, respectively.
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise, commended the officers for their vigilance and swift response, saying the operations prevented a significant quantity of drugs from reaching communities.
“We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations and patrols to disrupt the illegal dagga trade. The seizure of this dagga is a clear indication of our commitment to ensuring that drugs are removed from our communities,” Modise said.
The arrests form part of South Africa’s Safer Festive Season operations aimed at combating crime and disrupting illegal drug trafficking.