Barberton – Hopes of starting 2025 on “a high” evaporated when two suspects were caught – after a high-speed car chase – by police in Mpumalanga with a million rand worth of dagga smuggled from Eswatini.
The narcotic also known as “Swazi Gold” or “Insangu” was packed in bags, covered in a tarpaulin, and transported at the back of a bakkie.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said a white Isuzu bakkie transporting dagga from the border of Eswatini was intercepted by the police in Barberton, Mpumalanga on Monday night, (13 January 2025).
“The combat team in collaboration with proactive members were busy patrolling around the area and while performing their duties when they spotted a white Isuzu bakkie with two occupants coming from the direction of Low’s Creek [heading] toward Sheba Siding,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane.
On seeing the police, the suspects reportedly tried to turn back in the direction they had come in a bid to get away.
However, the police gave chase until they cornered them.
“Whilst searching the vehicle, they recovered 10 bags loaded with dagga weight at about 270,05 kgs,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane.
“The estimated street value of the dagga is about R1 million.
“It was during this time when the two suspects were apprehended and charged accordingly.”
Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane said the arrested pair was intercepted while en route to deliver the dagga from the Eswatini border to Sheba, a rural settlement northeast of Barberton, Mpumalanga.
She said the suspects would soon appear in court.
