…Over E1 million valued contraband goods siezed between KZN and Eswatini
BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– A coordinated border security operation involving South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique has dealt a major blow to cross-border criminal syndicates after authorities confiscated contraband worth about E4 million during June.
The seizures formed part of Operation Corona, a joint border security initiative led by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in collaboration with neighbouring countries to combat smuggling, illegal migration and other cross-border crimes.
Figures released by SANDF’s Joint Operations Division show that drugs worth E3 million were seized along the South Africa-Mozambique border during June, representing a sharp increase from the E787 000 worth of drugs confiscated in May.
Along the KwaZulu-Natal border shared with Eswatini and Mozambique, soldiers also intercepted contraband goods valued at just over E1 million, bringing the total value of seizures linked to the joint operations in the region to approximately E4 million.
According to SANDF, the intensified border patrols have significantly disrupted criminal networks operating across the region.
“The majority of contraband (E2.9 million) was recovered along the Limpopo border with Zimbabwe, while soldiers operating along the KwaZulu-Natal border with Eswatini and Mozambique confiscated goods worth just over R1 million,” the report stated.
Overall, soldiers deployed across South Africa’s six land borders intercepted contraband and stolen vehicles worth R9 million during June, while goods not declared for customs or import duties were valued at E4.59 million, an increase of E1.1 million compared with May.
The operation also yielded significant law enforcement successes. A total of 521 undocumented foreign nationals were apprehended and handed over to the South African Police Service and Department of Home Affairs, with Mozambican nationals accounting for the largest group at 207.
In addition, soldiers stopped dozens of suspicious individuals for questioning. Of the 76 people found to be wanted for various crimes, 52 were arrested along the KwaZulu-Natal border with Eswatini and Mozambique before being handed over to police.
The latest results underscore the growing importance of regional cooperation between South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique in strengthening border security and disrupting organised cross-border crime.
#Contraband #Eswatini #SouthAfrica #Mozambique #JointOperation #IllicitGoods
(Courtesy Pic)
