SAPS Border Policing members have arrested a 43-year-old truck driver from the Kingdom of Eswatini in a crackdown on cross-border smuggling.
The arrest came after alleged attempts to smuggle dagga into South Africa were foiled by vigilant SAPS officers.
Colonel Donald Mdhluli, spokesperson for the SAPS, confirmed the incident, stating that the arrest took place at the Oshoek Port of Entry in the early hours of Thursday, 21 March 2024, around 00:30 am.
“The male suspect, who was driving an articulated truck, was apprehended by SAPS members on the arrival side of the Port of Entry,” Colonel Mdhluli explained.
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During a routine search of the vehicle, officers discovered approximately 150 kg of dagga concealed under a load of timber.
The estimated street value of the seized dagga is reported to be around R630,840.
Subsequently, the driver was detained and charged accordingly.
The truck, bearing registration number plates from the Kingdom of Eswatini, was confiscated along with the seized contraband for further investigation.
The suspect is expected to appear at the Elukwatini Magistrate’s Court today, Friday, 22 March 2024, to face charges related to drug smuggling.
Reacting to the successful operation, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, expressed her satisfaction and commended the dedication of the officers involved.
“The continuous arrests and successes witnessed at the borders prove that indeed the members are working with diligence. They are doing an excellent work on a daily basis,” stated Lieutenant General Manamela.
