R47,6 million cache of drugs seized by SAPS units

UPINGTON – The members of Upington Border Police received information regarding a drug consignment that was to be sent via a courier service in Upington on Monday, 11 December 2023.

Crime Intelligence investigations led the team to a farm in the Kenhardt area where the consignment allegedly originated from. The information was operationalised and 5,885kg of dagga and hydrophonic dagga to the value of R918 060.00 was discovered and confiscated.

The premises was searched where various packaging machines, lights, dagga plants, processed dagga, magic mushrooms, packaging materials, scales, cash, cultivating spaces etc were discovered. Firearms and ammunition were also recovered during the search. The owner could not provide any documentation for the firearms.

A total of 302,395kg processed hydrophonic dagga valued R47 173 620.00, 872 dagga plants valued R87 200.00, eight rifles and two revolvers with an estimated value of R350 000.00, ammunition with an estimated value of R16 000.00 and various other evidence pieces were confiscated.

The 44-year-old male suspect was arrested for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition as well as illegal dealing in drugs.