DURBAN - The 121 South African Infantry Battalion of the South African National Defence Force said it was not letting its guard down during December festivities and backed its statement up by making arrests and seizing goods such as drugs, counterfeit cream and a firearm.
121 South African Infantry Battalion operational communication officer Captain Letlhogonolo Mashego said the battalion from Mtubatuba was currently deployed in South Africa and the eSwatini and Mozambique border.
While conducting a multi-disciplinary operation in Pongola areas with the South African Police Service, they stopped two suspicious looking men. Upon searching them, they found an illegal substance in their possession that was identified as heroin.
“The military sector commander determined that 80 milligrams of heroin had a street value of up to R1 200. The 55 sachets of heroin had an estimated street value of R66 000,” Mashego said.
He said the men were arrested and taken to Pongola police station.
Mashego said, in another incident, the military police commander received a tip-off from a security company that there was a vehicle transporting counterfeit goods from Jozini to Pongola. Soldiers on standby were activated.
“The vehicle in question, a white Toyota Hilux Single cab, was stopped. The vehicle was full of counterfeit cream (Lemovate). Two people, a South African man and a Mozambican woman, aged 24 and 37 respectively, were apprehended.”
“Inside the vehicle, there were 37 120 items, each costing R27,50. The goods had an estimated value of R1 020 800. The vehicle was impounded for transporting illegal goods which are estimated at the value of R300 000,” Mashego said.
He said military police apprehended the suspects, and the goods, vehicle and the suspects were handed over to Pongola Police Station.
Mashego said, in a third incident, the battalion was conducting Joint Operation Disruptive 35 with police around the Emagiqweni area (Ntubane), where they searched the house of a 49-year-old South African man after the man was accused of intimidating the community with a firearm.
“The man was found and asked if they could search his house due to suspicions that he is in possession of a firearm. Upon searching, a 38 revolver with six live ammunition was found. The firearm serial number has been erased. The person was apprehended and taken to Pongola Police Station,” Mashego said.
In Joint Operation Disruptive 36 with Pongola police in the Ndumbane area, two suspicious men were stopped and searched. They found an illegal substance in their possession that was identified as heroin. The two men, aged 31 and 35, were apprehended and taken to Pongola Police Station.
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