Man found smuggling medication into SA nabbed at Oshoek border

Mpumalanga police have arrested a man found smuggling a consignment of medication with an estimated street value of about R800 000 from Eswatini into South Africa.  

Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the 31-year-old man was nabbed by members of the Police from Border Policing unit in Oshoek, the main border post between South Africa and Eswatini.

He said the suspect was arrested on Friday at around 16:05 and is expected to appear in the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face related charges, including the contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act.

Routine Patrol

Mohlala said police were conducting routine patrols when they pulled over a truck pulling two trailers.

“It was discovered during the search that the truck was carrying a huge consignment of medication. It is further reported that the truck was from the kingdom of Eswatini heading to South Africa,” he said.

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According to Mohlala, the driver is reported to have failed to produce authorisation for transportation of the cargo across the border and was locked up and charged.

He said Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded the members from Border Policing unit for their relentless efforts in fighting crime in-and-around the borders. 

Smuggling hot-spot

The Oshoek border is one of the top smuggling hotspots for contraband destined for SA and has hogged the headlines with police drug busts.

In March two suspects, one from Eswatini and another from SA, were arrested with drugs estimated at R233 000 in street value on the Oshoek border post.

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Also in March, provincial police revealed that vehicles stolen from SA continue to be smuggled along this border.

Last December a Tanzanian national was arrested with dagga worth more than R1 million during the Safer Festive Season Operation inspections conducted on the port of entry and other parts of Gert Sibande District.

Three suspects between the ages of 57 and 61 were arrested along the border for smuggling dagga worth an estimated street value of R94 000.

In May last year a 31-year-old man was arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of 39 blocks of dagga, with an estimated street value of R1.2 million.

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