Hawks Secure Preservation Order for Toyota Hilux After Dagga Find
What Happened at Jeppes Reef
On October 8, 2025, officers from the South African Police Service were carrying out routine screening at the Jeppes Reef port of entry in Mpumalanga. During the stop, they noticed a strong, unusual smell coming from a white Toyota Hilux and decided to investigate further.
Discovery of Hidden Drugs
An initial look inside the vehicle turned up nothing suspicious. A more thorough search, however, revealed four plastic‑wrapped packets tucked away in hard‑to‑see spots:
- beneath the transmission
- under the left‑front door
- inside the vehicle’s chassis
The driver, who is also the registered owner of the Hilux, admitted that the packets contained dagga (cannabis). He was arrested on the spot and charged with trafficking the substance.
Court Preservation Order
Following the arrest, the Hawks’ Asset Investigation Team, together with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, asked the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela to protect the vehicle. The court granted a preservation order, citing the Hilux’s estimated value of R180 000 and its alleged use in the crime. The truck has now been placed in the SAPS 13 issue register at Schoemansdal SAPS while investigations continue.
Officials Praise Teamwork
Major General Nico Gerber, head of the Mpumalanga Priority Crime Investigations Directorate, commended the Schoemansdal SAPS team for their diligence. He stressed that the successful operation shows how cooperation between the Hawks, the NPA, and local police can keep crime from paying off.
Why This Matters
- Asset protection: Preserving vehicles and other property linked to illegal activities prevents criminals from benefiting from their crimes.
- Deterrence: Publicizing such actions sends a clear message that law enforcement will track down and seize tools used in wrongdoing.
- Community safety: Removing drugs from circulation helps keep neighborhoods safer for everyone, especially young people.
Conclusion
The Hawks’ swift action at Jeppes Reef led to the seizure of a Toyota Hilux suspected of being used in a dagga‑trafficking scheme. With a preservation order now in place, the vehicle remains under police control while the case moves forward. The operation highlights the power of inter‑agency teamwork and reinforces the message that crime does not pay.
