The Hawks in Mpumalanga have secured a High Court preservation order to seize a Toyota Hilux worth an estimated R180,000 after it was allegedly used to smuggle dagga through the Jeppes Reef Port of Entry.
The order was granted by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela following an application by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit and the Hawks’ Asset Investigation team.
The case stems from an incident on 8 October 2025 when SAPS members were conducting stop-and-search operations at the Jeppes Reef Port of Entry.
Police stopped a white Toyota Hilux after detecting a suspicious odour coming from the vehicle. Although an initial search revealed nothing, a more thorough inspection uncovered four plastic-wrapped parcels hidden inside the vehicle’s chassis, beneath the gearbox and underneath the left front door.
The driver, who is also the registered owner of the vehicle, allegedly admitted that the concealed parcels contained dagga. He was arrested on the spot and charged with dealing in dagga.
The Hilux was seized as an exhibit and booked into the SAPS 13 register at Schoemansdal SAPS while investigations continued.
Following the investigation, the High Court granted a preservation order allowing the State to preserve the vehicle, which is alleged to have been used in the commission of the crime.
The Hawks said the order was secured through the joint efforts of the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, Hawks financial accounting investigators and operational members involved in the arrest.
Mpumalanga Hawks provincial head Major General Nico Gerber praised the investigators and Schoemansdal SAPS members for their work.
“Our continued collaboration with our partners in the National Prosecuting Authority ensures our commitment that crime should not pay,” Gerber said.
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