13 boxes of khat confiscated in Uitenhage

THIRTEEN boxes of khat hidden on a truck transporting toilet paper were confiscated in Uitenhage this morning.

The truck was transporting toilet paper from Johannesburg to Uitenhage when police spotted it parked along the Graaff-Reinet Road.

Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Gerda Swart said three men in an Opel Corsa parked near to the truck were arrested as well as the truck driver.

“Police officials were driving past the truck when they saw men off- loading boxes into the car. The men also looked very jumpy when they spotted the police vehicle passing them,” she said.

“The officials went back, which is when they found khat packed inside the boxes. A search of the truck and vehicle saw thirteen boxes of khat found.”

Swart said that all the men in the vehicle, aged between 28 and 32 years, were from Port Elizabeth.

“We suspect that the khat was destine for Port Elizabeth. However at this stage it remains part of the investigation,” she said. “The value of the khat is currently unknown and has been sent to the forensic unit for testing and to establish the street value.”

The truck and the Opel Corsa were confiscated for being used to transport drugs.

All four men are due to appear in the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court on Monday.