SOUTH African Police Services (Saps) on Friday last week arrested a 27-year-old male suspect carrying R8 million worth of dagga destined for Limpopo province bordering Zimbabwe.
The dagga weighing close to one tonne’s destination was believed to be Zimbabwe.
The Saps, in a media statement, said the dagga, carried on a trailer in 41 bags, was intercepted during an anti-smuggling operation.
“The suspect was nabbed during a joint anti-smuggling operation executed by the Limpopo Tracking and Task Teams together with other police units and external law enforcement agencies.
“Police received intelligence information about a white Toyota Hilux pick-up suspected to be transporting dagga from Eswatini destined to Vhembe district,” Saps spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said in Press release.
He said a vehicle fitting the description was seen on the R36 public road next to Mooketsi weighbridge.
“It was stopped, searched and found transporting forty-two (42) bags of compressed dagga weighing 851,85kg with an estimated street value of R8 million and the 27-year-old male suspect failed to account for the origin of the dagga and was immediately placed under arrest,” Ledwaba said.
The Toyota Hilux pick-up and trailer used in the alleged commission of crime were also seized during the arrest.
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Ledwaba said the suspect is expected to appear at the Tzaneen Magistrate Court today facing a charge of dealing in drugs.
Recent trends indicate a surge in drug trafficking, particularly the smuggling of mbanje from South Africa through Limpopo River or via cross-border transporters, commonly known as omalayitsha.
These drugs are believed to be destined for high-density suburbs in Bulawayo and Harare.
In February this year, SA police arrested two Zimbabweans in Thabazimbi, Limpopo province, after seizing a contraband shipment of mbanje with a street value of nearly R500 000.
Zimbabwe police at Beitbridge in April busted a gang of drug dealers during a routine patrol along the Limpopo River.
Three men carrying two wooden drawers and a wrapped cardboard box filled with marijuana abandoned their luggage and fled when police officers appeared in South Africa, according to media reports.
