Tomatoes On Top, Dagga Below: Police Uncover R670k Drug Haul During Routine N4 Stop

Routine Stop On The N4 Leads To A Major Discovery

What began as a routine police stop along the busy N4 in Mpumalanga quickly turned into a significant drug bust when officers uncovered more than 100kg of dagga cleverly hidden beneath a load of tomatoes.

Members of the White River Flying Squad were conducting stop-and-search operations near Kaapmuiden when they spotted a white Ford Ranger with Gauteng number plates travelling towards Mbombela. According to provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula, officers decided to follow the vehicle before signalling the driver to pull over.

The driver complied without incident and officers approached the vehicle to conduct a search.

Tomatoes Turn Out To Be A Clever Cover

At first glance, the back of the bakkie appeared to be carrying nothing more than fresh produce. Crates of tomatoes were stacked in the load bin, giving the impression of a normal agricultural delivery.

But as officers dug deeper, the story changed quickly.

Hidden beneath the tomatoes were packages of dagga wrapped in yellow cellotape. Police discovered 56 plastic bags during the search. Each bag weighed roughly 2kg, bringing the total weight of the confiscated drugs to about 111.68kg.

Authorities estimate the street value of the seized dagga at approximately R670,080.

Four Arrested And Granted Bail

Four suspects were arrested at the scene. The group included two men and two women, all facing charges related to dealing in dagga.

The suspects appeared earlier this week in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court, where they were granted bail. Police have confirmed that investigations into the case are still ongoing.

Drug trafficking remains a persistent challenge along major transport routes in South Africa, particularly highways like the N4 which connect Gauteng to Mpumalanga and neighbouring Mozambique.

Separate Operation Recovers Hijacked Vehicle

In a separate operation, the White River Flying Squad also managed to recover a hijacked vehicle following a tip-off from a tracking company.

Police were alerted to a silver-grey Volkswagen Polo that had reportedly been hijacked at gunpoint in Shatale, within the Bushbuckridge policing area. Officers launched a search and later located the vehicle abandoned in the middle of the road in Malubane, in the Ma F Section.

The car had no keys when it was discovered.

The vehicle has since been towed to the Nelspruit Vehicle Identification Section for safekeeping and further investigation.

Police Call For Public Assistance

Police are urging members of the public who may have information that could assist investigators to come forward.

Anyone with relevant details can contact Sergeant Detective Mduduzi Nkambule on 082 220 8370 or call the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111. Information can also be submitted through the MySAPS App.

Authorities say all tips will be handled confidentially, and people providing information may remain anonymous.

{Source:IOL}

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