A joint South African Police Service and the South African Revenue Services operation has resulted in the arrest of a 45 year – old Malawian suspect who allegedly attempted to smuggle narcotics at Musina’s Beitbrigde early Friday morning.
The suspect, a bus driver of a recognized South African luxury bus service, was arrested with more than 1981 grams of heroin tablets worth around R19 million.
The operation began when SAPS members and customs officials stopped the bus from Malawi, and a search by officials as well as a sniffer dog led to the discovery of a packet with a large amount of tablets in possession of the driver.
The tablets were tested and returned a positive result for heroine. The package was referred to the SAPS narcotics unit for further investigation. A thorough search of the bus revealed no further narcotics. The bus was released with the driver behind bars.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola warned anyone thinking of smuggling drugs through the borders to think again. "If you try to bring in drugs in Limpopo you face the combined efforts of a number of law enforcement agencies," Masemola said.
"This wasn't a small amount for personal use. Heroin is a prohibited drug and could have tragic outcomes for the user. The SAPS will continue to work with our border counterparts to stem the supply of drugs such as this. Our solid partnerships is paramount in disrupting criminal activity of this nature," Masemola said.
Meanwhile, the suspect Makunkha Kennedy Manda appeared briefly at the Musina Magistrate Court late Friday afternoon and was formally charged with possession of drugs. Manda was remanded in custody pending his next appearance on the 27 December 2013 where he will make a formal bail application.
For further information please contact:
Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi
Cell: 082 373 2408
