Two held with 270 kg of dagga in Barberton stop, R1m haul
Mpumalanga police arrested two men aged 30 and 36 in Barberton on 13 January 2025 after a Vala Umgodi patrol stopped a white Isuzu bakkie carrying 10 bags of dagga weighing more than 270 kg. Police valued the consignment at about R1 million and said the men were bringing it from the eSwatini border to Sheba.
🇿🇦 Barberton, Ehlanzeni, Mpumalanga · South Africa
Mpumalanga police officers deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi, an operation
against illicit mining, arrested two men for alleged dealing in dagga.[1]The
two suspects, aged 30 and 36, were arrested in Barberton on the evening of
Monday.[1]Officers patrolling the area spotted a white Isuzu bakkie with two
occupants coming from the direction of Low’s Creek towards Sheba Siding, and
stopped it after the driver tried to turn.[1]
Police searching the vehicle recovered 10 bags loaded with dagga weighing more
than 270 kilogrammes.[1]Police put the estimated street value of the dagga at
around R1 million.[1]
Police said the two men were taking the dagga from the border of the Kingdom of
eSwatini to Sheba when they were intercepted.[1]The two suspects were
apprehended and charged.[1]The two arrested men were expected to appear in
court soon.[1]
Photos and video
Police photo of the Barberton dagga stop published with the report. Photo: SAPSPhoto details
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Source: IOLPolice photo of the seized dagga bags published with the report. Photo: SAPSPhoto details
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Source: IOLPolice photo of the recovered dagga sacks and bakkie in Barberton. Photo: SAPSPhoto details
Police stopped a red SUV on the R81 road at Ximuwini near Malamulele and found 14 plastic refuse bags of dagga, which Limpopo police valued at an estimated R662,400. The 55-year-old driver was detained at Malamulele Police Station and was due in the Malamulele Magistrate's Court on 9 November on a charge of dealing in dagga.
Police and private security arrested a driver after a high-speed chase from Sinoville to Bon Accord in Pretoria on 7 November 2026. Officers seized 240kg of dagga with an estimated street value of R960,000 from the vehicle and confiscated the vehicle.
Mpumalanga police stopped a 39-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal in a white Nissan NP200 at Mahamba before dawn on 3 November 2026 and found 30 rolls holding 158.2 kg of compressed dagga, which they valued at R1 million. He was charged with dealing in dagga and was expected in the Mkhondo Magistrate's Court on 5 November.
Acting on a tip-off, North West police stopped 21-year-old Lusanda Nhlangothi on the N12 near Christiana and found 4.654 kg of compressed dagga packed in two 20-litre drums. He was charged, appeared in court on 29 October and was remanded until a 5 November bail hearing.
