Police have arrested three people believed to be part of a cartel involved in smuggling between South Africa and Lesotho.
The trio, aged from 23 to 43, were arrested near Maluti in the Drakensberg mountain range.
Police confiscated dagga with a street value of more than R1.4-million.
The arrests came after a shootout between the police and the men, who are believed to be members of a cartel operating between the two countries.
Mount Fletcher police spokesman Lieutenant Raphael Motloung said the arrest came after a tip-off.
It is alleged that a fight between two groups broke out over several bags of dagga.
“Earlier in the week there was a shootout between two groups who were fighting in the area allegedly because of dagga,” said Motloung.
“We managed to arrest three suspects and police are still searching for three others who fled to the mountains.”
The alleged shootout between the two groups took place on Monday near Mparane College in the Drakensberg area. The fight later continued, leading to local residents calling police for assistance.
“When police arrived to search the area the suspects were seen as they were about to load bags of dagga in their vehicle,” said Motloung.
Six suspects allegedly opened fire at police, who shot back.
No injuries were reported and three men were arrested.
“Police managed to get 23 bags of drugs with a street value of more than R1.4-million.”
Motloung said the police’s mounted unit was assisted by people from the local community, who offered their donkey and horse carts to help move the dagga to the nearest police station.
“The area was not accessible and police had to be assisted by community members.
“We understand that the community are tired of drugs being transported through their communities as this put their lives at risk.
“We are calling for them to continue working with police in fighting this,” said Motloung.
The arrested trio are expected to appear in court today. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Police nab three with R1.4m in dagga
The trio, aged from 23 to 43, were arrested near Maluti in the Drakensberg mountain range.
Police confiscated dagga with a street value of more than R1.4-million.
The arrests came after a shootout between the police and the men, who are believed to be members of a cartel operating between the two countries.
Mount Fletcher police spokesman Lieutenant Raphael Motloung said the arrest came after a tip-off.
It is alleged that a fight between two groups broke out over several bags of dagga.
“Earlier in the week there was a shootout between two groups who were fighting in the area allegedly because of dagga,” said Motloung.
“We managed to arrest three suspects and police are still searching for three others who fled to the mountains.”
The alleged shootout between the two groups took place on Monday near Mparane College in the Drakensberg area. The fight later continued, leading to local residents calling police for assistance.
“When police arrived to search the area the suspects were seen as they were about to load bags of dagga in their vehicle,” said Motloung.
Six suspects allegedly opened fire at police, who shot back.
No injuries were reported and three men were arrested.
“Police managed to get 23 bags of drugs with a street value of more than R1.4-million.”
Motloung said the police’s mounted unit was assisted by people from the local community, who offered their donkey and horse carts to help move the dagga to the nearest police station.
“The area was not accessible and police had to be assisted by community members.
“We understand that the community are tired of drugs being transported through their communities as this put their lives at risk.
“We are calling for them to continue working with police in fighting this,” said Motloung.
The arrested trio are expected to appear in court today. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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