eSwatini man nabbed with R1.1m dagga near Mayflower
Police patrol near Waverley Border uncovers R1.1m dagga stash after suspects open fire and flee.
MAYFLOWER – Local police arrested a 29-year-old eSwatini national for allegedly dealing in dagga worth an estimated R1.1m.
The arrest took place near the Waverley Port of Entry on Friday, July 5.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the provincial police spokesperson, officers were on patrol when they noticed a suspicious vehicle and stopped it for inspection.
“After they had stopped it, the three occupants reportedly jumped out and began shooting at the police while attempting to flee the scene,” said Ndubane.
Police returned fire, and one suspect was shot and apprehended.
The other two managed to escape and are still at large.
The injured suspect was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
During the incident, a police vehicle’s left front door was damaged by gunfire from the fleeing suspects.
A search of the suspect’s vehicle led to the discovery of 166 packets of dagga, weighing approximately 190.46kg, with an estimated street value of R1.1m.
After receiving medical attention, the suspect was discharged from hospital and taken into police custody.
He appeared in the Mayflower Magistrate’s Court on Sunday, July 7, facing charges that include dealing in dagga, malicious damage to state property, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
