Trucker disappears after R29.3 million cocaine haul is found in truck at Lebombo border

Police are looking for a truck driver who sneaked away from law enforcement officials at the Lebombo border post after his truck was randomly picked for a physical check on Saturday morning.

It’s alleged that the truck was stopped between 10h00 and 11h00 on Saturday and upon searching it, cocaine with a street value of about R29.3 million was recovered.

It is alleged that the driver of a truck (with Gauteng registration number plates) which crossed the Port of Entry from the country of Mozambique into South Africa is said to have declared his consignment as hair pieces.

After the cargo was cleared, the truck was handpicked for further inspection by customs officials.

Watch: Zimbabwean Truck Driver Busted For Smuggling Counterfeit Shoes At Lebombo Border Post

According to information, whilst officials were still busy, the driver sneaked away under the pretence that he was going to get hold of the truck owner. He reportedly disappeared into thin air before officials discovered the 200 kg’s of suspected drugs (cocaine) hidden inside the said truck. Both the truck and the luggage were confiscated for further investigation.

No arrest has been made so far but police are doing their best to locate the truck driver as well as the truck owner.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela is delighted with regard to the interception of the substances that was made by the Customs officials. The General further mentioned that ever since the Port of Entry was visited to evaluate the state of readiness before the festive season last week, all stakeholders committed to ensure a festive season that is free from Crime hence this major breakthrough.