SAPS nabs smugglers for dagga possession after receiving tip-off

A Swaziland national, who confessed that a bag of dagga weighing over 40kg belonged to him, was granted R3 000 bail by the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court last Thursday.

Thabo Hlophe (34) appeared in court along with Amos Mzimba (40) and Nonhlanhla Nkosi (32).

However, Mzimba and Nkosi were acquitted and released.

The trio was arrested on Wednesday after police on duty had received a tip-off that there was a vehicle at Elukwatini, near Badplaas, which was offloading dagga from one car to another.

According to Const Peace Mbokane, Elukwatini police spokesman, Const Pat Mthembu and student Const Mthokozisi Vilakazi swiftly acted in response to the allegations and recognised a vehicle with the given descriptions (silver-grey Toyota Corolla) next to the local filling station.

“When they stopped the car, they found three occupants inside and requested to search the vehicle. As the officers were searching it, they smelled the drug. They then discovered a large bag containing four rolls of compressed dagga with an estimated street value of R36 000,” said Mbokane.

He said the officers arrested all three suspects on the spot and confiscated the vehicle for safe keeping.

Mbokane said Hlophe then confessed to the police that the dagga belonged to him and he had smuggled it through the illegal entry ports of Swaziland and was delivering it to Mzimba and Nkosi as per their agreement.

“Further circulations by the SAPS revealed that Mzimba is a police reservist posted at the Bethal Police Station,” said Mbokane.

Elukwatini station commander, Col Baby Masango thanked the members for stopping the suspects from carrying out their criminal task and for stopping them from completing one of the most problematic crimes that continually mushroom within the station area.