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SA Police seize R8 million worth of dagga bound for Zimbabwe
02 Jun 2025 at 09:44hrs | Views
A 27-year-old man was arrested by the South African Police Services (SAPS) on Friday last week after being caught transporting nearly one tonne of dagga worth an estimated R8 million. The consignment, believed to be headed for Zimbabwe, was intercepted during a high-level anti-smuggling operation.
According to a SAPS statement, the suspect was apprehended on the R36 road near the Mooketsi weighbridge in Limpopo during a joint operation by the Limpopo Tracking and Task Teams, supported by other police units and external law enforcement agencies.
"Police received intelligence about a white Toyota Hilux suspected to be transporting dagga from Eswatini and heading toward the Vhembe District," SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.
The vehicle was intercepted and searched, revealing 42 bags of compressed dagga weighing a total of 851.85 kilograms, stashed in a trailer.
"The 27-year-old suspect could not account for the origin of the dagga and was immediately arrested. The Toyota Hilux and the trailer used were also seized," Ledwaba said.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court today, facing charges of dealing in drugs.
Authorities believe the dagga was destined for Zimbabwe, where drug smuggling has become increasingly common. Cross-border syndicates, often using informal transport operators known as omalayitsha, are allegedly smuggling large quantities of mbanje into Zimbabwe through porous borders, especially along the Limpopo River.
This case adds to a growing list of drug trafficking incidents involving Zimbabwe-bound consignments. In February 2025, two Zimbabweans were arrested in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, after being caught with dagga worth close to R500,000.
In April, Zimbabwean police at Beitbridge also intercepted a group of drug smugglers along the Limpopo River. The suspects, carrying two wooden drawers and a cardboard box filled with mbanje, reportedly fled upon spotting South African police.
Law enforcement agencies in both South Africa and Zimbabwe have vowed to intensify efforts to curb cross-border drug trafficking, which they say fuels crime and poses a growing threat to public health in the region.
According to a SAPS statement, the suspect was apprehended on the R36 road near the Mooketsi weighbridge in Limpopo during a joint operation by the Limpopo Tracking and Task Teams, supported by other police units and external law enforcement agencies.
"Police received intelligence about a white Toyota Hilux suspected to be transporting dagga from Eswatini and heading toward the Vhembe District," SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.
The vehicle was intercepted and searched, revealing 42 bags of compressed dagga weighing a total of 851.85 kilograms, stashed in a trailer.
"The 27-year-old suspect could not account for the origin of the dagga and was immediately arrested. The Toyota Hilux and the trailer used were also seized," Ledwaba said.
Authorities believe the dagga was destined for Zimbabwe, where drug smuggling has become increasingly common. Cross-border syndicates, often using informal transport operators known as omalayitsha, are allegedly smuggling large quantities of mbanje into Zimbabwe through porous borders, especially along the Limpopo River.
This case adds to a growing list of drug trafficking incidents involving Zimbabwe-bound consignments. In February 2025, two Zimbabweans were arrested in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, after being caught with dagga worth close to R500,000.
In April, Zimbabwean police at Beitbridge also intercepted a group of drug smugglers along the Limpopo River. The suspects, carrying two wooden drawers and a cardboard box filled with mbanje, reportedly fled upon spotting South African police.
Law enforcement agencies in both South Africa and Zimbabwe have vowed to intensify efforts to curb cross-border drug trafficking, which they say fuels crime and poses a growing threat to public health in the region.
Source - B-Metro
