LOOK: KZN border patrol finds drugs worth R2.7m in spare wheel

By Zainul Dawood Dec 4, 2019

Durban - Drugs with a street value of more than R2 million were seized by police hidden in a vehicles spare tyre at the Mozambique border in KwaZulu-Natal.

It is alleged that on Tuesday at 12:30, police officers from the Pongola police station acted on intelligence information with regards to a vehicle transporting drugs from Mozambique through the border into South Africa.

Brigadier Jay Naicker, a KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, said police officers were dispatched along the route and spotted the vehicle travelling on the N2 freeway.

"The vehicle was intercepted by police officers and a search was conducted. During the search police found 15 KG of suspected heroine hidden in the vehicles spare wheel. The street value of the drugs is estimated at R 2.7 million. A 40-year-old suspect was placed under arrest for possession of drugs,"Naicker said.

A case of possession of drugs was opened at Pongola SAPS and transferred to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI-Hawks) for further investigation.

“The recovery of such a huge consignment of drugs is commended. This was a major breakthrough for the province and demonstrates the determination of our police officers to stem cross border crimes during this festive season,” said the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula.

**Drugs with a street value of two million rands were seized by police hidden in a vehicles spare tyre in KwaZulu-Natal at the Mozambique border. Picture Supplied**

In May 2017, Pongola SAPS and other SAPS units conducted an operation following intelligence on the transportation of drugs via the Golela border in a unique modified bakkie.

Police members intercepted the vehicle on the N2 near Pongola. The vehicle was searched and a total of 145 bags of a substance suspected to be heroin was found hidden in a concealed compartment of the loading bin of the vehicle.

The estimated street value of the recovered drugs is R101 million. Two men and a woman were then placed under arrest. The suspects appeared in the Pongola Magistrates Court.

The outcome of their court appearances was unknown.

Daily News