Police foil attempt to smuggle explosives into South Africa
Limpopo police have made a significant arrest this week, apprehending a 48-year-old foreign national for attempting to smuggle explosives worth thousands of rand into South Africa.
The arrest took place at the Beitbridge Point of Entry, where officers were conducting routine inspections of trucks entering the country. The suspect was driving a white MAN truck with a Gauteng province registration number.
Suspicious cargo
During the inspection, police requested the driver to open the side storage of the trailer, but he claimed to not have the keys. This raised suspicions among the officers, prompting them to escort the truck to another zone where they could access the locked storage area.
Upon opening the storage compartment, police discovered eleven red sacks containing items resembling polony, labeled as ‘superpower’ and suspected to be explosives.
Confirmation of explosives
The Bomb Disposal Unit was called in to analyze the contents, confirming that the items were indeed explosives. The total haul included 2,118 cartridges and sixteen 250-meter reels of detonator cable, with an estimated street value of R618,200.
The driver, a foreign national, was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the origin of the explosives and was promptly arrested on the spot. Both the truck and the explosives were seized during the operation.
Legal proceedings
The suspect is expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court to face charges of smuggling explosives. Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, commended the officers for their vigilance in preventing cross-border crime.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing, as authorities remain on high alert to combat illegal activities at border points.
