By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Illicit good and suspected green stones worth an estimated street value of R12 million were confiscated during a sting operation at Rocky’s Drift, near White River outside Nelspruit, on Friday 7 March 2025.
Police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said information was gathered by the Crime Intelligence Unit about illicit goods stored in 17 units in the area.
“ During the operation, various items were found, including suspected green stones, cosmetic products, food items, fireworks, pills, hair pieces. Though the owners of the storage facilities were not found during the search, the operation was conducted in the presence of security personnel. The items were seized as part of the police investigation,” said Brigadier Mdhluli.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major-General(Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, said lawlessness will not be allowed to prevail in Mpumalanga.
“ The suspected green stones suggest that illegal mining is in the picture here, but we have involved the Department of Minerals and Energy to assist in this regard,” said General Mkhwanazi.
The multi-disciplinary operation comprised the police from Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime Unit(both National and Provincial), DPCI(Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation-National and Provincial), Public Order Policing, Visible Policing members, South African Revenue Service, as well as the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.
