Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has praised the Provincial Traffic Intervention Unit (TIU) members for the arrest of seven suspects for possession of dagga estimated at R1,5 million over the weekend.
The seven suspects were arrested last week driving on N2/34 road between Sheepmoor and Piet Retief when TIU officers were conducting a routine systematic vehicle check on a Toyota Condor that was escorted by a Toyota Corolla.
The suspects were charged with possession of dagga and bribery and they have appeared in Amsterdam court on Wednesday, 3 January 2012. The case was remanded to Friday, 6 January 2011.
It is believed the dagga was being transported from Umsinga in KwaZulu-Natal to Tembisa in Gauteng. The two vehicles, a Condor and a Toyota Corolla, were also confiscated by the police to assist with investigation.
Shongwe has called on the Criminal Justice System to speedily finalise the case as this will bolster the government’s effort to fight against drug trafficking.
He says the incident comes at a time when the country has been under international spotlight for drug trafficking related cases and warned that this needed to stop as drugs destroy lives.
“We will not allow anyone to turn our province into a drug haven, our police will work hard to bring drug peddlers to book.
We are calling on the community to continue working with the police in the effort to expose drug dealers so that the future of our children is not compromised,” Shongwe said.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
Tel: 013 766 4055
