KWAZULU-NATAL — A major dagga seizure along the Pongola River corridor has landed a 33-year-old man in custody, with authorities confirming the recovery of 19 bales of compressed cannabis carrying an estimated street value of R2 million.
The arrest follows a targeted intelligence-driven operation in the rural border region of KwaZulu-Natal. According to a police spokesperson, officers received a tip-off indicating that four men had been observed transporting large bales of dagga and stashing them in dense vegetation close to the Pongola River.
Acting on the information without delay, law enforcement units moved to the flagged location to corroborate the report. A thorough search of the bushy area yielded the full cache of 19 compressed bales, which were immediately confiscated as evidence.
While one suspect was apprehended at the scene and taken into custody, a police spokesperson confirmed that a manhunt is actively under way to track down the three remaining individuals believed to be connected to the operation.
The arrested man is scheduled to make his first appearance before the Magudu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where he is expected to face charges related to the possession and dealing of dagga.
The seizure underscores the ongoing challenges authorities face in combating large-scale cannabis trafficking along KwaZulu-Natal’s remote riverine corridors, a route frequently exploited by smuggling networks operating near the provincial border.
Investigators have urged anyone with information about the outstanding suspects to come forward, as efforts to dismantle the broader supply chain continue.
