Hawks intercept large drugs shipment at Oshoek port of entry
Bags filled with mandrax tablets were found stowed away in a truck at the Oshoek border post on Wednesday. The police found a huge consignment of mandrax and dagga in this truck when it was stopped at the Oshoek border post between South Africa and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Responding to a call from SAPS members attached to the Oshoek Port of Entry, the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation, seized drugs believed to be mandrax tablets and dagga for forensic investigation yesterday (November 12).
Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, said their members were summoned to the scene after a South African registered truck that was coming from the Kingdom of Eswatini to South Africa was intercepted at the border post on Wednesday.
The truck was searched and mandrax tablets and dagga were found concealed inside suspicious looking boxes and plastic bags.
The driver (33) and his crew (40), permanent South African citizens from Lesotho, were arrested.
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Nkosi said the combined value of the seized mandrax and dagga is estimated at R900 000, while R3 200 and 4 600 Eswatini Emalangeni currency were found in their possession.
“Both are expected to make their first court appearance before Elukwatini District Court today, November 13,” said Nkosi.
The head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber said as the festive season operation was launched both nationally and provincially, the Hawks in Mpumalanga will work closely with other units for the speedy processing of the priority crimes dockets.
“We are already processing the exhibits for the forensic investigation,” concluded Gerber.
