A 49-year-old foreigner was arrested in Mpumalanga after he was caught with R75 million worth of drugs.
The Falcons’ narcotics bureau (SANEB) received information about a truck that may be transporting drugs from the police on White River’s dog unit and followed it up, says col. Katlego Mogale, spokesperson for the Falcons.
“The Falcons’ Saneb unit on Secunda, with the help of Elukwatini’s local criminal records centre, the Elukwatini fire brigade and the Badplaas police, stopped the identified truck and escorted it to the police station.”
The fire brigade helped to open a hidden compartment in the truck, after which 250 bags with 1 kg of heroin each were discovered. It has an estimated street value of R75 million, says Mogale.
The drugs, which were destined for the international market, came from Mozambique.
The arrest of a suspected drug peddler is thanks to the cooperation of a team that South Africa’s police and their counterparts in Mozambique and Tanzania set up to fight heroin-trafficking through the region, says Lt. Gen. Godfrey Lebeya, head of the Falcons.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of possession of illegal drugs with the intent to distribute them.
Mogale says an investigation has also been launched to establish how the truck could enter South Africa without being thoroughly checked at the border.
“The Hawks’ serious organized crime team remains committed to disrupting the distribution of illegal drugs and ensuring that those involved are brought to book.”
