MATSAPHA – The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has destroyed more than 600 kilograms of dagga with an estimated street value of between R800,000 and R1.5 million, as part of ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime in the country.
The cannabis was incinerated on Wednesday at Matsapha during an operation conducted by the police service following court orders authorising the destruction of the seized drugs.
According to REPS, the dagga had been kept as evidence in various criminal cases and was destroyed after the successful prosecution and finalisation of those matters before the courts.
Police said the cannabis formed part of exhibits collected from stations across the Manzini Region since the beginning of the year. The drugs had been confiscated during various police operations, including raids and roadblocks targeting suspected drug traffickers and dealers.
The destruction of the dagga marks the culmination of several investigations and prosecutions undertaken by law enforcement authorities in recent months.
In a statement, REPS said the exercise was carried out in compliance with directives issued by the Magistrate Court, which authorised the disposal of the narcotics after all legal processes had been concluded.
The police service reiterated its commitment to tackling the cultivation, trafficking and distribution of dagga, which it described as a significant contributor to criminal activity.
“The Police Service remains steadfast in its fight against dagga cultivation, dealing and trafficking because such have proven to be major contributors in the commission of violent crimes in the country,” said REPS.
Authorities have long expressed concern about the impact of illicit drugs on communities, linking the abuse and trafficking of narcotics to a range of offences, including assaults, robberies and other violent crimes.
The latest destruction operation is one of the largest carried out by police this year and highlights the scale of drug seizures being made by law enforcement agencies.
Based on regional police valuation standards, 600 kilograms of cannabis can fetch between R800,000 and R1.5 million on the illegal market, depending on quality, distribution networks and destination markets.
The operation also underscores the continued focus by security agencies on disrupting criminal syndicates involved in the drug trade. Police have intensified roadblocks, intelligence-led operations and raids in areas suspected to be used for the cultivation and movement of dagga.
While Eswatini continues to face challenges associated with illicit drug trafficking, law enforcement officials maintain that sustained enforcement operations are yielding results through increased arrests, seizures and successful prosecutions.
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