Police in Mpumalanga uncovered more than 100kg of dagga during a routine stop and search operation along the N4highway.
Members of the South African Police Service White River Flying Squad were conducting patrols when they noticed a white Ford Ranger with Gauteng registration travelling from Kaapmuiden towards Mbombela.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Thulisile Magagula, officers followed the vehicle and instructed the driver to pull over. After stopping on the roadside, police requested permission to search the bakkie.
During the inspection, officers initially found crates of tomatoes loaded in the back of the vehicle. A closer search revealed several packages hidden underneath the produce.
Police discovered 56 plastic bags of dagga wrapped in yellow cellotape. Each bag weighed approximately 2kg, bringing the total to about 111.68kg with an estimated street value of R670,080.
Four suspects, including two men and two women, were arrested on charges of dealing in dagga. The group appeared before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court earlier this week, where they were granted bail while investigations continue.
In a separate incident, the White River Flying Squad recovered a hijacked Volkswagen Polo after receiving information from a tracking company. The vehicle had reportedly been hijacked at gunpoint in Shatale, within the Bushbuckridgepolicing area.
Police later located the abandoned vehicle in Malubane, where it was found in the middle of the road without keys. The car was subsequently towed to the Nelspruit Vehicle Identification Section for further investigation and safekeeping.
Authorities have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Sergeant Detective Mduduzi Nkambule or report tips through MySAPS App or the Crime Stop hotline.
Facebook Comments