Lesotho and South African police seize 47 tons of cannabis in July 2006 joint operation
Police from Lesotho and South Africa seized 47 tons of cannabis herb in a joint operation in July 2006, the International Narcotics Control Board reported. The Board published no place, arrests or outcome for the seizure.
In a joint operation involving police from Lesotho and South Africa in July 2006, 47 tons of cannabis herb were seized.[1]
The seizure, equal to 47,000 kilograms, was recorded by the International Narcotics Control Board in its annual report for 2006.[1]The report gives no separate account of where the cannabis was found, whether anyone was arrested, or what happened to the haul after it was seized.[1]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
The criminal case against Tom Srugo under section 9(1)(a)–(b) read with section 6 was dismissed for lack of prosecution, and a court order directed the return of 337 plants and 4 kg seized from his Thetsane residence in 2024. Police had still not returned the plants by October 2026, and the Ministry of Health was withholding a licence renewal.
A Federal Airlines aircraft landed unlawfully at Moshoeshoe I airport with 500 kg of cannabis from Thailand, allegedly destined for South Africa. The pilots were fined M200,000 for unlawful landing and sent back; police denied that it was a cannabis seizure. The cannabis and destination claims were allegations, not court findings.
Banel (Pty) Ltd imported 500 kg of dried cannabis flower from Thailand under a permit dated 27 February 2026; police seized it without producing a warrant. The High Court later set aside the seizure and ordered the cannabis returned. The case exposed the gap between the licensed import route and police practice.
Magistrate Puseletso McPherson sentenced 54-year-old 'Matsepang Litabe on 9 February 2026 for unlawful possession of dagga, fining her M4,000 or four years' imprisonment with half suspended. Police had found 115 packets at her residence on a tip-off three days earlier after she failed to produce a licence.