A truck travelling from Malawi into South Africa was held for an eight-hour physical inspection at Beitbridge after a cargo scanner detected suspicious substances, later identified as methaqualone with an estimated street value of almost R1 billion.
Border guards and law enforcement agencies seized the drugs during a stop and search enforcement operation on May 27.
“The truck was subjected to a non-intrusive inspection through the cargo scanner, during which suspicious substances were detected,” said Border Management Authority (BMA) commissioner, Michael Masiapato. This prompted officials to conduct an extensive physical search of the truck, which lasted approximately eight hours.
During the operation, officials discovered a substance identified as methaqualone (ABBA), commonly used in the manufacturing of Mandrax. The truck was loaded with approximately 713 000 grams of the substance, which has an estimated street value of R998 million.
The BMA continued to enhance its operational capabilities through the use of advanced technology, intelligence coordination and strategic partnerships to secure South Africa’s borders, said Masiapato. “This interception sends a strong message that South Africa’s borders are not a safe passage for organised criminal activities.”
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