KOMATIPOORT – Last week was a successful one for police at the Lebombo Border Post, as they managed to seize heroin and t-shirts worth around R4 million.
During his regular duties at the border post on Friday evening, Sgt Stanley Anton searched a bakkie and found heroin in a black plastic bag behind the seats. Anton called for backup from the K9 Unit.
More heroin was discovered in the subwoofer and speakers. The drugs are valued at R3,9 million.
Twenty-two-year-old Mr Njabulo Direct Thwala from Thulamahashe in Bushbuckridge was arrested for possession of heroin and detained at Komatipoort SAPS. He appeared in the Komatipoort Periodical Court and was granted bail of R1 500 on Monday. Another suspect was also arrested for attempting to smuggle goods into the country last Tuesday.
About 5 000 T-shirts were found hidden in the back compartment of a bus en route to Gauteng from Mozambique.
The goods had an estimated street value of R120 000 and, according to the bus driver, were destined for Chinese shops in Gauteng.
The driver was arrested for contravening the Customs and Excise Act, because he did not possess an import permit or declare the goods at the port. The goods were seized by the police.
The suspect appeared in the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court and was released on a warning.
Despite regular roadblocks, stop-and-searches and other police operations, smugglers continuously attempt to get goods into South Africa or into Mozambique.
Over the past few years, police have managed to stop many smugglers in their tracks and recover stolen goods or seize illegal ones.
During a roadblock near Malalane on October 12, three suspects were arrested for possession of dagga worth R60 000, and dagga was also found discarded at the Malelane Taxi Rank. Eighteen illegal immigrants were also apprehended. Read about it here.
Suspects attempted to smuggle a vehicle into Mozambique after stealing it during a house robbery in Phiva on October 11. Fortunately police managed to track it down hours later at the Lebombo Mountains near the border.
Ephedrine worth R10,8 million was found hidden in a Land Rover in August during a stop-and-search operation at the Nkomazi Toll Plaza. Two Mozambicans were arrested.
In March, heroin worth R50 million was discovered in a vehicle’s petrol tank, making it one of Mpumalanga’s largest drug busts. The driver was reportedly heading to Mozambique from Gauteng but was caught during a stop-and-search near Kaapmuiden.
The community of Nkomazi is urged to help the police in their fight against crime by reporting illegal activities and not buying stolen or illegal goods.
