Police in Vhembe, Limpopo, have intercepted a suspected dagga smuggling operation and seized nearly a tonne of the illegal drug with an estimated street value of R1.5 million.

The seizure was made on Friday, 18 September, when members of the South African Police Service’s Beitbridge Port of Entry Task Team stopped a white Toyota Hilux at a roadblock at the Baobab Tollgate at about 11 am.

The vehicle was travelling with two Tanzanian nationals, aged 32 and 41.

Police say they became suspicious after the occupants told officers they did not have the key to the padlock securing the vehicle’s canopy.

The officers instructed the pair to proceed to the Beitbridge border facility, where the vehicle was subjected to a further inspection.

Inside the canopy, police discovered 33 bags containing 991.5kg of dagga, which SAPS estimated to have a street value of approximately R1.5 million.

The two men were arrested and are expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 September, facing charges relating to dealing in dagga.

Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers commended the officers for their vigilance and operational alertness.

“Vigilance and teamwork remain our strongest weapons against drug trafficking,” Scheepers said.

The seizure comes as police continue operations aimed at disrupting the movement of illicit drugs along Limpopo’s major transport routes and border corridors.