Four suspected smugglers arrested with 21 bags of dagga in KZN
Durban — The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and SA Police Service apprehended four suspected dagga smugglers, three Lesotho nationals and a South African.
In a success report under KwaZulu-Natal Operation Corona, on Monday, the Tshwane Regiment, deployed under the Joint Tactical Headquarters KZN, conducted vehicle patrols in the Dukuza-Moyeni area of Upper Tugela.
Captain Anelisiwe Tamela of Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters KZN said that during the operation, the unit got a tip-off about suspected dagga smuggling activities taking place at a house.
Tamela said that acting on the information, the SANDF soldiers collaborated with the Upper Tugela SA Police Service and promptly adjusted to execute a cordon and search operation.
“During the search, four male suspects were apprehended. The following items were recovered at the scene: 21 bags of dagga, three cellular phones, and a sum of R3 300 in cash,” Tamela said.
“The total weight of the seized dagga was 293.8 kilograms, with each gram valued at R4, resulting in an estimated total value of R1 175 000.”
Tamela said three suspects were from Lesotho and one was a South African citizen.
She added that troops stationed at the KZN border with Lesotho remain alert and prepared to intercept illegal activities in the area.
In a similar incident, 44-year-old Sechaba Maqhama, a suspected dagga smuggler, was arrested by Hawks members from Richards Bay Serious Organised Crime Investigation working together with Louwsburg Visible Policing on Sunday.
KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said officers received information about a vehicle transporting dagga from Pongola to Vryheid. Louwsburg members were alerted and the vehicle was intercepted on Road 69.
“A search was conducted and police found 67 bags of dagga with a street value of approximately R1.2 million,” Mhlongo said.
He said Maqhama was arrested and charged with dagga possession.
The vehicle was seized and will be referred to the Asset Forfeiture Investigation Unit.
Maqhama briefly appeared in the Louwsburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to December 12, 2024.
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