Nelspruit:A multidisciplinary operation led by the Hawks in Mpumalanga has resulted in the arrest of a 71-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman. This followed the discovery of a dagga plantation, processed dagga extract, two rifles, two handguns, and a large quantity of live ammunition at a farm near Nelspruit.
According to South African Government News Agency, the two individuals are expected to appear before the Nelspruit District Court today. The operation was initiated after the Hawks received intelligence suggesting that dagga was being cultivated and possessed at the farm in the Nelspruit area.
The Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) team opened an enquiry and began investigations. The intelligence was acted upon through a coordinated intervention involving SOCI, the White River K9 unit, the National Intervention Unit (NIU), Tactical Response Team (TRT), and the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC).
During the operation, authorities searched the premises and uncovered the dagga plantation, processed dagga extract, and the firearms, as well as the ammunition. Preliminary checks revealed that the firearm licenses had expired.
The arrested individuals face charges related to the Contravention of the Firearms Control Act and the Contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, including the cultivation and possession of dagga.
Major General Nico Gerber, Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, praised the coordinated intervention. He emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary operations in disrupting criminal activities involving drugs and illegal firearms. Gerber highlighted the success of intelligence-led policing in seizing firearms and ammunition and disrupting the cultivation of dagga.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as further assessments of the seized items continue.