Foreign national to appear in court for R75 million heroin

Share the Article:

A 49-year-old foreign national is set to appear in court following an arrest in possession of heroin with an estimated street value of R75 million. 

The suspect was nabbed during a multi-disciplinary operation conducted in Mpumalanga on Sunday where he was found in possession of 250 x 1kg heroin bricks.

It is reported that 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. 

#sapsHAWKS A 49-year-old suspect was arrested during a multi-disciplinary operation conducted in Mpumalanga on 16 July 2023 after he was found in possession of 250 x 1kg heroin bricks with an estimated street value of R75 million. #DrugsOffTheStreets MLhttps://t.co/qv88xAOS76 pic.twitter.com/H2dJfXPurx

— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) July 17, 2023

The fire department assisted with the opening of the concealed compartment where 250 x 1kg heroine bricks with an estimated street value of R75 million were discovered.

“The drug bust was as a result of Trilateral Planning Cell (TPC) 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,” said the DPCI Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya. 

ALSO READ: Motorist nabbed for false car registration

The drugs which were destined for the international market were coming from Mozambique. 

The 49 years old suspect will appear in the Carolina Magistrates’ court on Wednesday on charges of possession of illegal drugs with intent to distribute.