By Mapaballo Borotho
- The Border Management Authority has intercepted a methaqualone drug consignment worth nearly R1 billion at the Beitbridge border post.
- Authorities say the drugs were hidden inside a truck travelling through Zimbabwe into South Africa.
- Three Malawian nationals were arrested as the Hawks launched further investigations into the case.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted a drug consignment worth nearly R1 billion at the Beitbridge Border Post.
The interception took place on Wednesday evening, 27 May 2026, during what authorities described as an intelligence-driven operation.
Leon Schreiber described the bust as one of the biggest breakthroughs against the drug trade in South Africa.
“Yesterday, an intelligence-driven operation coordinated out of our National Targeting Centre identified a truck travelling through Zimbabwe to Beitbridge. Upon arrival, the BMA was ready and waiting for it. The truck was intercepted and examined using the on-site sophisticated truck scanner, and a hidden compartment was discovered,” said Schreiber.
Members of the BMA reportedly spent more than eight hours dismantling the truck before discovering a substance later confirmed to be methaqualone, also known as “ABBA”, which is commonly used in the manufacture of mandrax.
Authorities seized 713,000 grams of the substance, with an estimated street value of R998.2 million — just under R1 billion.
Three Malawian nationals were arrested and taken to the South African Police Service station in Musina, while the Hawks are expected to conduct further investigations.
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