Hawks seize heroin worth R75m in Mpumalanga
The Hawks seized heroin with an estimated street value of
R75 million in Mpumalanga on Sunday.
A 49-year-old suspect was also arrested.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale says several elite crime-fighting units were involved.
"The drug bust was a result of Trilateral Planning Cell, which is a team established by the ministries responsible for policing of the republics of South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania, to counter heroin trafficking through the southern route.
"The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s South African Narcotic Bureau received information from Witrivier K9 on a truck that could possibly be ferrying illegal drugs.
Hawks’ Secunda SANEB, with the assistance of Elukwatini Local Criminal Record Centre, Elukwatini Fire Department and SAPS Badplaas, pulled the identified truck over, and it was escorted back to the station.
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"The fire department assisted with the opening of the concealed compartment where 250 1kg heroin bricks with an estimated street value of R75 million were discovered."
An investigation is underway to determine how the truck managed to enter South Africa without being thoroughly checked at the border.
"The drugs, which were destined for the international market, were coming from Mozambique. The 49-year-old suspect will appear in the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on 19 July on charges of possession of illegal drugs with intent to distribute,” Mogale said.
