An eSwatini police sergeant and two other Swazi nationals have been arrested in Burgersfort, Limpopo on cannabis dealing charges. This follows a Mpumulanga police warning that they are increasing their vigilance on cross border cannabis smuggling from eSwatini.

IOL reports that the 46 year-old sergeant was taken into custody at around 11 am on Thursday, 18 May 2023 after a stop and search operation on the R37 next to L50 Farm. Police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says police were conducting a routine operation when they stopped a white Volkswagen Polo with Mpumulanga registration plates.

Colonel Ledwaba said police searched the car “after detecting an unpleasant odour” and found cannabis to the value of R62 000. The three occupants of the car, all eSwatini nationals, were then arrested and it was then discovered that one of them was a serving policeman.

READ: MPUMULANGA POLICE CAPTAIN BUST FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING 22 KG OF CANNABIS OUT THE BACK OF HS POLICE VAN

And in another recent arrest, a 31 year-old man was taken into custody on Monday, 15 May 2023 at Mahamba border post between South Africa and eSwatini after he allegedly tried to smuggle cannabis concealed in a sealed gas tank. Mpumulanga police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli said “alert police officers intercepted the man, cut open the gas tank and found dagga with a street value of around R18 000”.

Colonel Mdhluli said “Police in Mpumalanga have strengthened security measures when it comes to dagga trafficking from neighbouring countries, including the Kingdom of Eswatini.”

He said security had been tightened on South Africa’s borderline where false vehicle compartments were uncovered recently.

READ: MPUMULANGA WARDEN ARRESTED AFTER ALMOST 2 TONS OF CANNABIS FOUND AT STANDERTON PRISON.