On Saturday evening various SAPS members and members of a security company in Pietermaritzburg seized dagga with a street value of almost R2 million.
The unit teamed up on an intelligence-driven operation that was targeted at suspects who were planning to transport dagga to Cape Town on Saturday night.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, the information received led the police to business premises on Edison Road in Mkondeni, where the team continued surveillance on a truck that was allegedly going to be used to transport the dagga.
“Police observed five suspects loading dagga into the truck and pounced on the premises. All five suspects aged between 21 and 45 were placed under arrest.”
Naicker said police seized a total of 57 bags of dagga each weighing between 30kg and 40kg.
“The street value of the dagga that was seized is estimated at R1.7 million. A case for possession of dagga was opened at the Alexandra Road police station for further investigation. The suspects are expected to appear at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court [on Monday].”
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, said: “These arrests prove that we are closing in on suspects who are dealing in drugs within our province. More arrests can be expected as operations are still ongoing.”