Mahamba Port of Entry: A new dagga smuggling tactic exposed

Dagga traffickers are using a new means to smuggle narcotics into South Africa, the police announced on Tuesday, 16 May. A suspect was arrested at the Mahamba Port of Entry.

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NEW DAGGA SMUGGLING TACTIC UNCOVERED AT MAHAMBA PORT OF ENTRY

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the police in Mpumalanga have strengthened security measures surrounding dagga trafficking from neighbouring countries.

A 31-year-old suspect was arrested at the Mahamba Port of Entry on Monday. He allegedly smuggled the drugs in a gas cylinder.

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“Yesterday, a new tactic was discovered by the police officers when an undocumented foreign national from the Kingdom of Eswatini was nabbed with a gas cylinder which was sealed, but fully loaded with dagga,” said Mdhluli.

POLICE ARREST SUSPECT WITH 4,316 KG OF MARIJUANA IN GAS CYLINDER

The police spotted the suspect carrying the gas cylinder in a plastic bag. With suspicions aroused, the police thoroughly checked the gas cylinder and saw that it appeared to be sealed. However, they believed it could be loaded with something other than gas.

“That was when police cut open the cylinder then discovered dagga weighing at 4,316 kilograms,” said the police spokesperson.

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The dagga in the gas cylinder had an estimated street value of R18 127,20. The suspect was arrested on charges of possession of dagga and being in South Africa without valid documents. He is expected to appear before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

“The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has praised members for their vigilance which has led to the success,” said Mdhluli.

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This article was originally published by STORM SIMPSON.