Times Of Swaziland: OVER E10M DAGGA  FROM ESWATINI NABBED IN SA

OVER E10M DAGGA  FROM ESWATINI NABBED IN SA
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Siboniso Nkambule on 13/11/2024 13:44:00


MBABANE – The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confiscated dagga
worth over E10 million in five days last month.
This was during border patrols in Mpumalanga, conducted by the five South
African Infantry Battalions deployed along the borders of the Republic of South
Africa/Mozambique and Eswatini, under Operation Corona.This comes after the
South African security forces intercepted over E14 million worth of dagga
smuggled across the Eswatini-South Africa borders between August and early
October, this year.
The illegal consignments were discovered during routine patrols and
intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing drug trafficking along the borders.
Authorities believe the heightened efforts are crucial in disrupting the flow of
narcotics into the country, as smugglers continue to exploit the borderlines for
illicit trade. The confiscated dagga in five days adds to the over E14 million
worth of dagga intercepted along the Eswatini-South Africa borders between
August and early October. According to Acting Staff Officer, Operational
Communication, Lieutenant Fundiswa Xaba, on October 11, in the Oshoek area, the
Charlie Company found abandoned dagga weighing 215kg, with an estimated street
value of E903 000.
Xaba said the dagga was handed over to Haartebeeskop South African Police
Service (SAPS). Adding, she reported that on October 12, around Mahamba area,
the Charlie Company found seven abandoned bags and inside, they found dagga.
“They activated the Military Police to come to the scene. The weight of the
dagga was 100kg to the estimated street value of R422 940. The dagga was handed
over to the Mkhondo SAPS,” Xaba said. Xaba also stated that on October 13, in
the Monzana area, the Charlie Company, while conducting an observation, came
across a white Toyota Bakkie. According to Xaba, they stopped and searched the
vehicle and found that it was loaded with dagga.
“The Military Police were activated to the scene and they took the dagga, the
vehicle and the driver, a Republic of South Africa citizen aged 37 years to
Mahamba SAPS. The weight of the dagga was 865.4kg and estimated street value of
R 3 634 680,’’ she said. In another separate incident, she reported that on
October 15, while conducting vehicle patrol in Waverly area, they came across a
white VW Jetta. Xaba explained that they stopped the vehicle and discovered that
the driver was from Eswatini, aged 38 years.
According to Xaba, SANDF searched the vehicle and found three bags of dagga
weighing 37.28kg with an estimated street value of E156 576. “On October 27
around Emahlathini, Charlie Company was busy conducting observation posts and
they spotted a bakkie approaching and upon searching the vehicle, they found
dagga inside the vehicle. The dagga weighed 289.5kg to the estimated street
value of E1 215 900,” she said.
Furthermore, Xaba mentioned that two suspects who were in the vehicle were
apprehended and handed over to Piet Retief SAPS.
According to Xaba, this demonstrates the commitment and dedication of the SANDF
to protect the sovereignty of the state.