A tip-off from the White River K9 Unit led to the arrest of a 49-year-old foreign national allegedly transporting heroin worth R72m from Mozambique, destined for the international market.

According to a statement by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, the arrest was made on Sunday, July 16.

She said the White River K9 Unit had reported information regarding a truck possibly transporting drugs, to the South African Narcotic Bureau (SANEB) of the Hawks.

“The Hawks’ Secunda SANEB, with the assistance of Elukwatini Local Criminal Record Centre, Elukwatini Fire Department and SAPS Badplaas, pulled the identified truck over and it was escorted back to the station,” said Mogale.

“The fire department assisted with the opening of a concealed compartment in which 250 1kg heroin bricks with an estimated street value of R75m were discovered.”

National Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said the bust was the result of trilateral planning cell, which is a team established by the ministries responsible for policing of South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania, to counter heroin trafficking through the Southern Route.

Mogale said the drugs that were destined for the international market, were found to be from Mozambique.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on July 19, on charges of possession of illegal drugs with the intent to distribute.

Mogale said an investigation is under way to determine how the truck managed to enter South Africa without being thoroughly checked at the border.