The South African Police Service (SAPS) seized drugs valued at E900 000 which were being smuggled from the country on Wednesday.
According to a press release from SAPS Mpumalanga, a truck with South African registration numbers that was allegedly carrying mandrax tablets and dagga was intercepted at the Oshoek port of entry (South African side), while coming from the kingdom trying to enter into the neighbouring country.
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The reported seizure was made possible through the collaboration of law enforcement agencies based at the Oshoek border and the Secunda-based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit.
Police said the truck was initially spotted by border patrol officers, who made a swift call that brought the Secunda-based Hawks Serious and Organised Crime Investigation Unit to the scene.
A request to search the truck was made. Upon searching it, police found mandrax tablets and dagga concealed in suspicions looking boxes and plastic bags. A secondary search reportedly led to the eventual discovery of a stash of cash in both local (E4 600) and South African currencies (R3 200).
The value of the narcotics was estimated at approximately E900 000.
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The drugs were seized and both the driver and a passenger, a permanent resident of South Africa who hails from Lesotho, were arrested and charged with importation and possession of drugs with the purpose of trafficking.
They made their first appearance at the Elukwatini District Court yesterday. No details were provided pertaining to the destination of the truck or the place where it was coming from in the kingdom. SAPS assured that they would remain vigilant in preventing dangerous drugs from reaching the country. Authorities further said they would ensure that the case of the suspects is expedited.
Provincial Head of the Directorate of Priority Crime Major Nico Gerber said since the festive season operation has been launched the Hawks in Mpumalanga would work closely with other units for the speedy processing of priority crime dockets.
“We are already processing the exhibits for forensic investigation,” he said.
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