| 2025/01/17 |
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Media Statement NESLPRUIT – Three suspects, aged between 32 and 52, were arrested on 16 January 2025 at approximately 20:30 for dealing in dagga on the N2 Road, between Pongola and Piet Retief. Police officers from the Mahamba Port of Entry were conducting routine patrols when they spotted a red Mercedes Benz minibus with three occupants inside, two males and one female. The vehicle was stopped, and Police conducted a search. Upon searching, they discovered eight (08) rolls of dagga, wrapped in black plastic bags. It was during this time when the suspects were immediately arrested and charged for dealing in dagga. Further investigation suggests that the suspects were traveling from the Kingdom of Eswatini and were heading to KwaZulu-Natal Province. The two male suspects are South African citizens, and the vehicle belongs to the 37-year-old male suspect. The female suspect is a foreign national from the Kingdom of Eswatini without valid documentation to be in South Africa. The confiscated dagga weighed at about 45 kg’s, with an estimated street value of about R67 500. The vehicle was also impounded for further investigation. The suspects are expected to appear at the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 January 2025 where they are expected to make a formal bail application. Police cannot ruled out the possibility of additional charges for contravening of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrests and issued a stern warning to those that take some chances and traffick illegal substances that the astute members of the Police and other law enforcement agencies are ready to disable their illegal activities. “Our members continue to work tirelessly and ensure that these trafficking of dagga and other substances cannot be allowed to continue unabated. Those found on the wrong side of the law will face serious consequences,” said the General.
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