South Africa\u2019s Border Management Authority (BMA) has arrested three Malawians after intercepting a drug consignment worth nearly R1 billion at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
According to media reports, a truck entering South Africa from Zimbabwe was flagged after scanners detected suspicious cargo.<\/p>\n
The reports state that detailed search uncovered about 713,000 grams of a substance commonly used in the production of mandrax.<\/p>\n
BMA said investigations were underway to establish the intended destination of the drugs.<\/p>\n
Media reports quoted BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato commending \u201cintelligence-led\u201d border security operations and close collaboration between law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n
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Masiapato said authorities remain committed to strengthening border security, combating transnational crime and protecting the country from illicit activities that threaten communities and the economy.<\/p>\n
South African Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber described the seizure as one of the country\u2019s biggest breakthroughs against drug trafficking.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday [Wednesday], an intelligence-driven operation coordinated out of our National Targeting Centre identified a truck travelling through Zimbabwe to Beitbridge. Upon arrival, the BMA was ready and waiting for it,\u201d Schreiber said.<\/p>\n
He added that officials used sophisticated scanners to inspect the truck before discovering a hidden compartment.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWorking over eight hours, the BMA patiently dismantled the truck until a substance was discovered that was confirmed to be methaqualone,\u201d Schreiber said.<\/p>\n
Beitbridge is one of Southern Africa\u2019s busiest border posts linking South Africa and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
The three suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, remain in custody as police continue investigations.<\/p>\n
Malawi Police Service spokesperson Lael Chimtembo said authorities are still waiting for formal communication from Interpol on the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cNormally, when arrests are made outside the country, we wait for formal communication from our counterparts,\u201d Chimtembo said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
South Africa\u2019s Border Management Authority (BMA) has arrested three Malawians after intercepting a drug consignment worth nearly R1 billion at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe. According to media reports, a truck entering South Africa from Zimbabwe was flagged after scanners detected suspicious cargo. The reports state that detailed search uncovered about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":77705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","category-head-lines"],"yoast_head":"\n