OVER E14M ESWATINI DAGGA SEIZED IN SA

MBABANE - South African security forces have intercepted over E14 million worth of dagga smuggled across the Eswatini-South Africa borders between August and 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.This is according to media statements by the Joint Operations Division of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The dagga was discovered through several operations, including ‘Operation Corona’ by SANDF. According to a statement by the SANDF, in one incident, the Charlie Company, in collaboration with the Border Management Authority, executed a routine patrol in the Oshoek area. They observed a suspicious vehicle, a white Opel Panel Van from Eswatini to South Africa, approaching the port of entry, Oshoek.  It was reported that officers, acting on their instincts and training, initiated a stop. However, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene, evading capture.

“Upon inspection of the vehicle, the patrol team discovered 17 bags of dagga, totalling an impressive weight of 657.56 kilogrammes (kg). This substantial haul is estimated to be worth approximately E761 752, highlighting the scale of illegal dagga drug trafficking that the team successfully intercepted. While no arrests were made at the time, the quick actions of the General De La Rey Regiment Chalie Company Platoon 3 led by Second Lieutenant Mpeqeke and the Border Management Authority (BMA) prevented these illegal goods from entering South Africa.  The vehicle, along with the seized dagga, was transported to the Oshoek SAPS station for further processing,” SANDF said.

In another incident that occurred within the reporting months, it was reported that the SANDF battalion stationed along the South African and Eswatini border stumbled on 28 bags of dagga, valued at almost E6 million which was abandoned at Mshololo. SANDF said the dagga was handed over to the Pongola police station for further investigation. Acting Officer Commanding 8 SA Infantry Battalion, Major Abrahams, commended the hard work and commitment of the soldiers. In another incident, it was stated that a section from SANDF Alpha Company conducted an operation at Belgrade, where two males were spotted coming from Eswatini, carrying five bags wrapped with black masking tape.

SANDF explained that the men were heading towards the N2 road in Pongola. “When the soldiers approached them, they dropped the bags and ran back to Eswatini. The Military Police were called. The dagga is estimated to be worth E2 671 620,” SANDF said. On the same note, SANDF soldiers from the 8 SA Infantry Battalion were conducting a foot patrol at Mshololo in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal(KZN) when they discovered eight neatly wrapped bags of dagga tucked away among the bushes, near a nearby residential settlement. SANDF reported that the eight bags of dagga collectively weighed 290 kilogrammes, with an estimated value of E1 092 000.

“The soldiers approached the residents to question them about the bags, hoping to gather information. However, the occupants were rather tight-lipped, insisting they did not know the bags or their origins. “The bags were then transported to the Pongola Police Station for proper processing and documentation. The military police were also activated and joined the efforts at the station,” SANDF said. Furthermore, it was reported that the SAPS in Mpumalanga seized dagga weighing 1 180kg, worth E4.7 million on the N12 in Delmas. SAPS in one of their statements in the reporting months said, through information received from intelligence and the Trilateral Planning Cell (TPC), police pounced on a truck carrying the consignment of dagga.

“Information received is that the truck was travelling from Eswatini with drugs towards Johannesburg. Joint efforts by Delmas SAPS, Middelburg K9, Middelburg Flying Squad Unit, as well as Mpumalanga Covert Intelligence intercepted the truck on the N12 freeway just before the Dryden off-ramp,” SAPS said in the statement. The SAPS explained that during the initial search, nothing out of the ordinary was noticed, however, members kept on smelling a strong odour of dagga. According to the SAPS, the truck was then escorted to Delmas SAPS, where a K9 narcotic dog was used to do a further search. “It was during this time when a hidden compartment at the back was discovered, and upon removal, 63 balls of dagga were found wrapped in brown sellotape. The balls were marked and it is suspected that the parcels were possibly packaged for distribution in a place currently unknown.

A 30-year-old man from the Kingdom of Eswatini was arrested,” SAPS said. The Acting SAPS Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi said they are grateful for the collaborative effort by all stakeholders that were involved. “This achievement should send a strong message to those who might attempt to smuggle any illicit goods into our country that they will meet the formidable troop, that is willing to ensure that no illegal stuff passes through,” Mkhwanazi said. Moreover, within the reporting months, the SANDF also recovered nearly 200kg of dagga during patrols along the borders of Mozambique and Eswatini.

Lieutenant Fundiswa Samantha Xaba reported for Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters in Mpumalanga that, soldiers from 5 South African Infantry Battalion discovered the dagga near Nyamane in Eswatini.  It was stated that the 190kg of dagga had an estimated street value of E789 840. In another bust, it was reported that 5 South African Battalion soldiers who were busy conducting vehicle patrols at Elukwatini near the Eswatini border, when they spotted two women carrying seven bags of dagga weighing 17kg with a street value of E71 400.
“The two suspects were apprehended and taken to the SAPS by the military police. “This demonstrates the commitment and dedication of the South African Defence Force to protect the sovereignty of the state,” Fundiswa stated. It was also reported that last month, ‘Operation Corona’ border patrol statistics showed that soldiers confiscated E2.5 million worth of drugs, primarily along the Eswatini/KwaZulu-Natal/Mozambique borders.

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