OVER E1M ESWATINI DAGGA BUST IN SA, 2 ARRESTED

MBABANE – The South African border with Eswatini is continuing to become a major conduit dagga trade, with recent seizures of 270 kilogrammes of dagga worth over E1 million discovered in Barberton. Two men, aged 30 and 36, were arrested on Monday in Barberton after South African authorities uncovered 270kg of dagga, suspected to be from Eswatini, with an estimated street value of E1 million. The arrests were made by South Africa’s Vala Umgodi Task Team, which has been spearheading efforts to combat illicit mining and related criminal activities in the region. This bust marks the latest chapter in a wider crackdown on drug trafficking along South Africa’s borders, particularly with Eswatini, where heightened activity in recent months has alarmed security forces.

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The smuggling of large quantities of dagga across the South African border has become an increasingly prominent issue, prompting a robust response from law enforcement agencies.
The pair were apprehended following a joint operation with the South African Police Service’s Proactive Unit. While patrolling the area, officers observed a white Isuzu Bakkie travelling from Low’s Creek towards Sheba Siding. The vehicle was intercepted after the suspects attempted to evade police, leading to a search that uncovered 10 bags of dagga concealed within.
Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane of the South African Police Service confirmed the arrest and emphasised that investigations are ongoing. Authorities believe the dagga originated from the border region of Eswatini and was destined for Sheba.

The Barberton arrests follow a series of successful operations in November 2024 when the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) seized dagga worth over E10 million in just five days. These operations form part of Operation Corona, targeted illicit trade across South Africa’s borders with Mozambique and Eswatini, underscoring the persistent challenge posed by narcotics smuggling in the region. According to reports from the SANDF, the November operations resulted in multiple interceptions of drug consignments, with authorities seizing over 1 500kg of dagga during routine patrols and intelligence-led operations. A key operation in the Monzana area yielded a significant haul of 865kg of dagga, valued at E3.6 million.
The escalating sophistication of smuggling networks has necessitated increased collaboration between military and police forces.

The SANDF’s Charlie Company has played a pivotal role in tracking and disrupting the flow of narcotics, frequently discovering abandoned drug caches and intercepting vehicles en route to their destinations. Lieutenant Fundiswa Xaba, Acting Staff Officer for Operational Communication, provided further details of the operations conducted in October, which yielded significant drug busts, including the seizure of 215kg of dagga valued at over E900 000. Other major seizures included 37.28kg of dagga from a VW Jetta and 289.5kg from a bakkie, both resulting in arrests. Despite these successes, authorities remain deeply concerned by the continued exploitation of South Africa’s porous borders by drug traffickers. With the ongoing influx of narcotics, government’s focus on tightening security at these vulnerable points remains crucial to curbing the illicit trade.

As the investigation into the Barberton arrests continues, police and military personnel have reiterated their commitment to dismantling the trafficking networks that exploit these borders. Authorities are hopeful that continued vigilance and intelligence-driven operations will further disrupt the flow of drugs into South Africa, ensuring a more secure future for its communities. The two suspects are expected to appear in court soon, where they will face charges related to the possession and trafficking of illegal narcotics.

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