NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has reassured the public that police will continue to play their role in eradicating all forms of drugs in society. This follows two separate incidents in which police busted suspects smuggling dagga, at Piet Retief and at Kaapmuiden in the early hours of today.
Police reports indicate that at around 05:00 am, SAPS members from Piet Retief were doing stop-and-searches on the N2 Road at Wagendrift turn off. They then stopped a white Toyota Quantum and conducted a search leading to the discovery of six bags, stashed with rolls of dagga on the seats of the said kombi. Three suspects, aged between 22 and 25 were arrested for dealing in dagga. Amongst the suspects, two were females as well as a male who was also identified as the driver of the minibus. The dagga seized was weighing about 213,1 kg and is estimated to be worth almost R 320 000 in street value. The minibus has also been confiscated as it was allegedly used in the commission of crime.
The three suspects are due to appear in the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 24 March 2022 facing the said charges.
Meanwhile the men and women in blue at Kaapmuiden also showed that they are equal to the task, that of putting an end to the circulation of drugs in the community. At about 07:00 am today the members were conducting stop-and-searches on the N4 Road near Nkomazi Toll Gate when they halted a VW Polo. Upon searching the vehicle, the astute members found a large black plastic bag stashed with dagga. The male driver, aged 25, was then arrested and charged for dealing in dagga. The dagga confiscated weighed about 14.058 kg and is estimated to worth more than R 21 000 in street value. The vehicle was also seized by the members as it was used in the commission of crime.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Low’s Creek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 24 March 2022 facing the said charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela further thanked the members for their unwavering vigilance in ridding the streets of illegal drugs.
Source: South African Police Service