R1,4 million worth of dagga recovered, Piet Retief

South African Police Service

R1,4 million worth of dagga recovered, Piet Retief
R1,4 million worth of dagga recovered, Piet Retief

On Saturday, 18 March 2023 Police recovered dagga to the estimated street value of more than R1.4 Million, possibly abandoned by suspects. Nine bags of dagga wrapped with a sellotape to the estimated street value of about R 1 406 160-00.

The weight of the dagga is at about 334, 8 kilograms. The dagga was found next to the border at Emahlathini in Piet Retief.

Meanwhile on Sunday, 19 March 2023 two suspects were arrested on separate incidents by the SAPS members for dealing in drugs.

One of the suspects, aged 36 was apprehended after being found with suspected drugs called ‘full-moon rock’ to the estimated street value of about R15 600.00 in Bethal.

Information was received about a person in possession of illicit substances. The details were followed and a person matching the description as provided was spotted near a certain shop in Bethal. Upon approaching the man, Police realized that he was having a small transparent plastic bag but as they drew nearer, the man tried to run however the members gave a chase and caught him in possession of the suspected drugs.

He was then arrested and charged accordingly.

Preliminary investigation has since revealed that the suspect was previously arrested for a similar offence earlier in February 2023. The Police are working in partnership with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain his status in the country. More charges could possibly be added against him as the investigation continues.

After the man was charged accordingly, the next will be his appearance in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Monday 20 March 2023 on the said charges.

Another suspect, aged 22 was nabbed in Amsterdam on Sunday, 18 March 2023 after being reportedly caught with dagga weighing at about 1,36 kilograms with an estimated street value of about R5 712-00.

It is reported that members from Nerston Ports of Entry were patrolling on the road on Sunday 18 March 2023, when they stopped and searched the suspect. That was the time when they found the dagga in his possession.

He was arrested and charged accordingly.

The suspect is expected to appear at the Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 facing the said charges.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has once again acknowledged with much appreciation the effort made by members in battling illicit drug trafficking throughout the province.

SAPS Newsroom

SOURCESouth African Police Service