Potchefstroom - Sannieshof police have arrested three Lesotho nationals for allegedly dealing in dagga with an estimated street value of R2.3 million, North West police said on Sunday.
The suspects, aged between 21 and 37, were arrested on Friday after Sannieshof police received a tip-off from Delareyville police about two suspicious vehicles, Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said.
Sannieshof police were told to be on the lookout for a Toyota Corolla and Iveco panelvan with Lesotho registration plates, believed to be transporting dagga.
Police on routine patrol spotted the two vehicles on the Sannieshof-Ottosdal road.
They tried to stop the vehicles but the drivers refused to stop and sped off. After a while the Corolla stopped, but when police got out of their vehicle and headed towards the Corolla, the driver again sped off. Police followed again, and asked for backup.
The panel van turned onto a gravel road and the Corolla sped off in another direction, but the panel van driver lost control of the vehicle, it overturned, and the driver was arrested.
Other officers pursued the Corolla and the driver also lost control, with the car overturning at the Stella-Delareyville road.
“It is alleged that the suspects were transporting the dagga to Deelpan. Police arrested two suspects and the third suspect was taken to a local hospital and is under police guard.”
Two suspects were expected to appear in the Delareyville Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of dealing in dagga.
The third suspect would appear in court when he was released from hospital, Moleko said.
ANA