Dagga that was confiscated at the suspects vehicle.
The police in Mayflower arrested a 29-year-old Eswatini national for allegedly dealing in dagga with an estimated street value of R1.1 million on Saturday, July 5.
The Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said the arrest, occurred at about 04:30 at the Waverley Port of Entry near Mayflower, involved a shootout between suspects and police, resulting in one suspect being shot and arrested.
“Police were conducting routine patrols near the Esandleni border line noticed a suspicious vehicle. Upon stopping it for inspection, three occupants reportedly exited the vehicle and opened fire on the officers while attempting to flee. Police returned fire, striking and arresting one suspect.The other two managed to escape and remain at large. The injured suspect was transported to a hospital for medical treatment,” she said.
Ndubane also said a search was conducted of the suspect’s vehicle uncovered 166 packets of dagga, weighing approximately 190.46 kilograms. The significant find highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
“After receiving medical attention, the suspect was discharged from the hospital and taken into custody. During the exchange of gunfire, a police was damage to its left front door. However all the officers escaped unharmed,” she said.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Mayflower Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 7, He will face multiple charges, including dealing in dagga, malicious damage to state property, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Police investigations are ongoing to locate the two other suspects who fled the scene.
