The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has hailed what he says is likely the single biggest breakthrough against the drug trade in South African history.
The Border Management Authority yesterday, 27 May, intercepted a consignment at Beitbridge valued at nearly R1 billion.
An intelligence-driven operation, coordinated out of the BMA’s National Targeting Centre, identified a truck travelling through Zimbabwe to Beitbridge.
The truck was intercepted and examined using the on-site sophisticated truck scanner, and a hidden compartment was discovered.
“Working over 8 hours, the BMA patiently dismantled the truck until a substance was discovered that was confirmed to be methaqualone, also known as ABBA, commonly used in the manufacture of mandrax.”
The Hawks and K9 units were called in, and 713kg of the drug was seized at an estimated value of R998 200 000.
Three Malawian suspects were arrested and taken to the Musina Police Station. The Hawks are conducting further investigations into the origin of the truck, its owner, and the intended destination of the drugs.
Schreiber says this “historic breakthrough” in the fight against smuggling and drugs demonstrates that the combination of intelligence-led investigations, digital transformation, and the commitment of the BMA is systematically rebuilding the rule of law at South Africa’s borders.
He has commended the women and men of the BMA for their commitment and diligence that resulted in this breakthrough.
“It sends a powerful message to would-be smugglers that South Africa is clamping down on illegality through intelligence and technology. This, as one of the most successful anti-smuggling operations our country has seen, shows that the BMA’s strategy is yielding results and serves to motivate us to do even more to restore the rule of law.”
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