Narcos: Hawks nab two suspects caught with 308kg of dagga [photo]

Two suspects, believed to be carrying 308kg of dagga, were arrested by the Hawks on the N2 highway, near Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday.

According to police spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, the Hawks’ operation in nabbing the duo was assisted by reliable information from a source.

How the Hawks caught the two suspects

Captain Mhlongo revealed that a few days prior to the arrest, the Hawks division in Port Shepstone was contacted by confidential informants and tipped-off about a large shipment of dagga that was due to make its way from the Eastern Cape to Kwa-Zulu Natal in two vehicles.

This information came with little else but a description of the vehicles. For the Hawks, it was more than enough to launch a task team made up of Port Shepstone’s Flying Squad as well as the K9 Unit to tackle the dagga bust.

As the informants had said, the two vehicles were spotted making their way towards KZN, on the N2 highway. On cue, the task teams swooped in an intercepted both cars.

How much dagga was seized?

Nthando Ndoyokwe, a 32-year-old male, and Thando Mbele, aged 31, were searched and a closer inspection of their vehicles yielded a massive find.

A total of 77 bags of dagga were recovered from both cars, the estimated value of which amounts to R771 000. The two suspects were immediately placed under arrest and hit with drug dealing charges.

Ndoyokwe and Mbele appeared before the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court, on Thursday, where they posted bail for R3 000 each. The pair, according to Captain Mhlongo is expected back in court for their plea submissions on 27 September.

Dagga legislation in South Africa

The confusion around dagga legislation in South Africa has been a subject of debate. What people do not understand is that the unregulated use and/or distribution of large quantities of dagga constitutes a criminal offence.

While the government is still in a transitional period with regards to the legislation of dagga in South Africa, people found in possession of more than 115 grams of the plant are prosecuted under the Drug and Drug Trafficking Act of 1992.

If found guilty, the two suspects can expect to spend a maximum of 12 years behind bars.