All drug dealers were given a strong warning by the provincial head of the Hawks
that Mpumalanga is not a free port of entry for drugs. This statement was made
following the Wednesday, 2 August 2023 arrest of two foreign nationals at the Lothair
police station for being in possession of compressed dagga.

A security firm contacted the Secunda-based South African Narcotics Enforcement
Bureau (SANEB) of the Hawks after discovering a silver-gray Ford Ranger bakkie
filled with bundles of compressed dagga. The bakkie was apparently being escorted
by a white Toyota Corolla, which was also seized. The accused allegedly attempted
to bribe the security officers during the procedure for R19 250.00. The employees
upheld their moral character and declined to take the bribe.

The Hawks were summoned to the crime scene to join Ermelo Local Criminal
Record Centre (LCRC) and Lothair SAPS members. The joint team confiscated 52
compressed dagga bags weighing 650 kilograms with estimated value of R2.25
million which was found in the bakkie.

The Hawks seized the dagga together with two vehicles which were used during the
commission of the crime. The suspects were arrested and are expected to appear in
the Ermelo District Court on Friday, 4 August pending further investigation.