A Swazi man, believed to be one of the biggest smugglers of "designer dagga" in KZN, was bust during an undercover operation.
|||Durban - A Swazi national - believed to be one of the biggest smugglers and wholesalers of “designer dagga” in KwaZulu-Natal - was bust during an undercover operation in uMhlanga on Tuesday.
His arrest outside a McDonald’s outlet by the Durban organised crime (narcotics) unit came after two months of surveillance by the crime intelligence unit.
Undercover agents bought more than 4kg of compressed dagga, valued at R72 000, on two separate occasions, from the suspect.
A police source said the “designer dagga”, known as Kush, Hydro, Swazi Gold or Chocolate, was sold for more than R18 000 a kilogram to dealers.
Designer dagga is a special hybrid that is carefully cultivated indoors. The street price was about R500 for five grams, the source said. The 35-year-old travels between Swaziland and Durban at least once a week, the source said.
“He drives a greyish-brown VW Touran which has a hidden compartment in the boot. The drugs are stashed there when he crosses the border. The dagga is compressed and vacuum sealed into one kilogram packs.”
It has been alleged the suspect recently took over the “business” from his brother.
“He drives fancy vehicles and only stays in upmarket hotels in uMhlanga during his weekly visits. His clients are from the middle- to- high income groups from affluent suburbs in KZN.”
The source said the suspect’s vehicle was also seized.
He is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate's Court today on two counts of dealing in drugs.
In an unrelated matter, a student accused of selling drugs at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville campus was denied bail in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court.
Itumeleng Sekhatami appeared in court on Monday on multiple charges of dealing in drugs. He was denied bail because of his previous arrests and a pending drug matter.
Sekhatami was arrested two weeks ago by police when they seized a “client list” containing more than 200 names.
His operation was largely operated via BlackBerry’s messenger service, which he allegedly used to sell designer drugs, mainly to students.
His matter was adjourned to May for further investigation.
yogas.nair@inl.co.za
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