A 28-year-old man from the Kingdom of Eswatini was arrested by members of the Border Police after allegedly trafficking dagga through Oshoek Port of Entry on Friday evening, September 15, at about 19:00.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the suspect was nabbed by the police, who stopped the vehicle he was driving, a silver Toyota Corolla with Gauteng registration number plates.
“A search was then conducted by the vigilant members, and 6,60 kilogrammes of dagga were discovered inside the vehicle, concealed and wrapped with a transparent sellotape. The consignment is estimated to have a street value of about R27,000. The suspect was arrested, and the dagga as well as the vehicle were confiscated for further investigation,” he said.
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Mdhluli added that in a separate incident, on Thursday, September 16, a 23-year-old Zambian national was arrested for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle when he was found on the departure side at Oshoek Port of Entry.
The suspect, who is currently residing in Gauteng Province, was arrested while on his way to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The investigation by the police revealed that the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle he was driving, a Toyota Yaris, was found to have been tempered. In addition, the registration number plates fitted to the car were not authentic.
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Upon further probe, it was discovered that the Toyota Yaris was stolen in 2019 at Sinoville, in the Gauteng Province. Both suspects are expected to appear before Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 18, facing the said charges.
Police further continued with Operation Shanela in Leslie, where a 29-year-old suspect was nabbed for dealing drugs. The suspect was found with 63 tablets believed to be Mandrax, six bags suspected to be Crystal Meth, 437 parcels of substances believed to be Nyaope, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Four other suspects, aged between 17 and 42, were arrested for possession of 60 sachets believed to be Nyaope and five pieces believed to be Rock.
One suspect was arrested for driving a motor vehicle while suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, and eight (08) suspects were arrested for drinking in public.
All arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Leandra Periodical Court also on Monday, September 18, 2023, except suspects who were arrested for drinking in public and they payed fines before being released.
