Police recover buckets of dagga, suspected dealer arrested

Police in Thembalihle, near Vrede in the Free State, have made a major drug bust, seizing dagga with an estimated street value of R170 000.

According to police, the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Task Team made the discovery after receiving a tip-off about suspicious activity in the area.

Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, said that the team arrived at a house in Thembalihle and found buckets filled with dagga.

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“The owner of the house, a 40-year-old suspect, was arrested and is expected to appear before the Vrede Magistrate Court on Monday, 8 May  2023.

“He will be facing charges of dealing in dagga,” he said.

Mophiring added that in addition to the dagga, an undisclosed amount of cash was also found on the premises.

“We believe that the suspect was involved in the sale of the drug, and are currently conducting further investigations into the matter,” he confirmed.

Mophiring described the latest bust as significant victory in their fight against the illegal drug trade.

Accused granted bail

In a separate incident in the Nelspruit, a 36-year-old suspect has been granted bail after appearing before the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court for dealing in dagga on Wednesday, 3 May 2023.

Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said his arrest came after police members followed up on a tip-off

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“Police responded swiftly to the tip-off and the suspect, believed to be from Kamaqhekeza, was found driving in the residential area at Mzinti with the vehicle that matched the given description,” she said.

She told that the vehicle was stopped and searched by the police, who discovered stuffed dagga rolls weighing about 123,838kg with an estimated street value of around R185 757 inside.

“He was arrested and charged for dealing in dagga and the vehicle he was using was also confiscated for further investigation,” she said.

“He is expected to appear again in the same court on 3 July 2023,” she concluded.