KAAPMUIDEN – A stop-and-search operation at the Nkomazi Toll Plaza once again yielded great results when ephedrine worth R10,8 million was found hidden in a Land Rover on Tuesday morning.
Ephedrine is a drug to treat asthma, but can also be used in the manufacture of illegal substances such as crystal meth.
Two Mozambicans, aged 33 and 38, were stopped after passing through the toll gate and a police dog from the White River K9 Unit reacted positively to the presence of drugs.
Police detained the suspects and started searching the vehicle at the nearby station. Drugs were found in, among other places, two spare wheels, under the seats and in the engine compartment.
The police confiscated the powdered ephedrine and the two suspects were taken into custody.
They appeared in the Kaapmuiden Periodical Court on Wednesday morning on charges of dealing in drugs. The outcome was not yet known at the time of going to press.
This successful apprehension has followed several others in the same area over the past few months.
In March a dog from the White River K9 Unit sniffed out heroin worth R50 million hidden in fuel tanks. Police had followed up a tip-off that drugs were being transported from Malalane to Mbombela and deployed officers in the Kaapmuiden area. They pulled over the vehicle and the dog immediately ran towards it. The police cut open the fuel tank where they found and confiscated the secret stash. Read about it here.
Stop-and-search exercises at the Nkomazi Toll Plaza and Lebombo Border Gate have proved invaluable in preventing the smuggling of a variety of drugs, including dagga and heroin. The police recovered many stolen vehicles in both normal patrol duties and special operations.
Motorists and residents are urged to report any suspicious-looking activity, both in the areas they live and work, as well as on the road to the nearest police station. They have to cooperate with officials during the regular roadblocks and stop-and-search campaigns.
