/ 17 May 2008

Beaufort West police seize tonnes of dagga

Three-and-a-half tonnes of dagga worth about R3,4-million were seized by Beaufort West police in one week, Western Cape police said on Friday.

Spokesperson Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe said that in all three cases vehicles were stopped while heading for Cape Town.

The first incident occurred at 6.30pm on Sunday on the N1 highway. Police received a tip-off and arrested Lucky Ntshangase (26) for possession of 240kg of dagga, worth about R240 000.

Ntshangase appeared in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court. His postponement date has not been received from the court, and he will remain in custody.

The second incident occurred at 11pm on Monday when police received another tip-off and found 2,2 tonnes of dagga dumped at a cliff about 100m from the N1 highway.

Myezo Mgushelo (44) was arrested in connection with the dagga seized. He appeared before the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court and his case was postponed to May 22 for bail application.

On Thursday, police followed information received from the public and stopped a Volvo truck. Inside they found dagga weighing approximately a tonne.

A 45-year-old man was arrested and is expected to appear before the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Mangqwengqwe said. — Sapa