A THIRD Tanzanian citizen was arrested at the Golela border post on Tuesday for allegedly smuggling heroin into the country, shortly after the arrest of two of his countrymen on similar charges.
Omary Salim Jundu (35) was caught with two backpacks containing the consignment in false compartments, sealed with sponge and stitched into the bags.
The powder weighed 1.1kg with a potential street value of R300 000 and has been handed over for forensic analysis.
The two Tanzanians detained by the Pongola police on 27 July on suspicion of trafficking heroin into the country, told the Pongola District Court on Tuesday they needed a Swahili interpreter to follow court proceedings.
During a routine check, police became suspicious when Asha Salum Msafiri and her companion Juma Mwaikuka’s backpack was found to be unusually heavy and could not bend.
Packaged white powder weighing 2.5kg was discovered, also stitched into a hidden compartment.
The accused were charged for dealing in or alternatively being in possession of dangerous and dependence producing substances under the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
The matter has been remanded until Friday 4 September for a Swahili interpreter to be arranged by the State and for the investigating officer to prepare for bail application.
The State is expected to oppose bail.
The street value of 2.5kg heroin is about R500 000.
• In February, two Tanzanians, Bohari Mbegu Bohari (37) and Nas Mohamed Issa (34), caught trafficking heroin worth over R2-million across the Golela border were both sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
The heroin originated from Afghanistan.
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