Border Management Authority Commissioner Mike Masiapato.
JOHANNESBURG - Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said authorities would stop at nothing until drug syndicates operating within the borders of South Africa are disrupted and dismantled.
His comments follow after three people were arrested during a drug bust at the Beitbridge Border Post on Wednesday.
The haul, estimated to be worth R1 billion, was discovered inside a truck travelling from Malawi to South Africa.
READ | R1bn drug bust at Beitbridge border
Masiapato said the interception represents a decisive intervention against criminal networks, which he claims exploit the country’s ports of entry.
Three suspects - two Malawi nationals, one male and a female, as well as one Zambian male were arrested after the interception at Beitbridge.
According to Masiapato, the truck was subjected to a non-intrusive inspection using advanced cargo scanning technology.
“Through the vigilance, commitment, and professionalism of our officials and partner law enforcement agencies, a drug substance identified as ABBA, also known as methaqualone and commonly used in the manufacturing of mandrax, was discovered concealed within the truck,” Masiapato said.
Masiapato said they are working to establish the origin of the drugs as investigations continue.
“Authorities are also pursuing all available leads to identify the origin of the consignment, the individuals involved in its transportation and coordination and any possible links to transnational organised crime networks,” he said.