Crime
Nxuba madala (72) caught with half a million rand in garden bags of dagga
Suspect Appears in Court After Dagga Worth Nearly R470 000 Seized in Nxuba
A 72-year-old man is expected to appear before the Magistrate’s Court today on charges linked to alleged drug dealing, after police seized dagga and related items valued at close to half a million rand.
According to a media statement issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in the Eastern Cape, the suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by Nxuba Crime Intelligence and the SAPS K9 Unit.
Intelligence-Led Operation
Police allege that at about 09:30 on 28 January, information was received regarding a person transporting dagga along the road between Tarkastad and Nxuba.
Acting on this tip-off, a joint tactical operation was swiftly mobilised.
A vehicle matching the description provided to police was later spotted and stopped not far from Nxuba.
Drugs and Vehicle Seized
The suspect, a resident of Lingelihle in Nxuba, was driving a Toyota Corolla at the time of the stop.
During a search of the vehicle, officers allegedly discovered:
- Six large garden bags of dagga
- One smaller bag of dagga
- One Samsung cellphone
Police also seized the Toyota Corolla, which is believed to have been used in the commission of the alleged offences.
The total estimated street value of the seized items is more than R469 000.
Repeat Offender
The suspect was arrested at the scene and detained.
He is facing charges of dealing in dagga, transporting dagga, and possession of drugs.
Police indicated that he is a repeat offender, and the court will determine his next steps when he appears today.
Police Concern Over Elderly Involvement
Eastern Cape District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph praised the coordinated effort between Crime Intelligence and the K9 Unit.
He also expressed concern about the involvement of elderly individuals in drug-related crimes, noting that older members of society should be playing a role in helping law enforcement keep drugs off the streets to protect younger generations.
