A 42-year-old Mozambican male was arrested outside Chrissiesmeer on Sunday night after being found in possession of 52 kg of heroine.
The street value of the drug is estimated at R52 million.
Cash that included American dollars, Mozambican meticais and SA rands was also seized.
Provincial Hawks spokesman, Lt Dineo Sekgotodi, said the success was achieved after a joint operation by the Hawks (SANEB), CIG Border Integrity and CI Ermelo Cluster.
The arrest comes after information was received that a suspect heading for Johannesburg had passed through the Oshoek border post from Swaziland at about 19:45 in a silver coloured Toyota Prado in which the drugs were possibly concealed.
Roadblocks were then set up on roads leading to Chrissiesmeer, Carolina , Ermelo and the N4 highway.
At about 20:30, police at Chrissiesmeer, assisted by members of the Mpumalanga Security Group and Chrissiesmeer Farm Watch, apprehended the suspect outside the town on the road between Ermelo and Chrissiesmeer.
The suspect was taken to Ermelo where a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the heroin, stashed in an auxiliary fuel tank and the spare wheel.
Ibraimo Canderio appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He was denied bail and the case was postponed to Tuesday10 May to allowfor procurement of legal attorney.
It has since been learned that Canderio travelled frequently between SA and Mozambique.
* On 20 April this year, 54 kg of heroin with a street value of at least R54 million was seized by police at the Lebombo border post. In this case, the drugs were hidden in a Nissan NP200.
