A 44-year-old truck driver is facing a charge of dealing in drugs after police intercepted a large Khat consignment worth half a million Rand earlier this week.
Police Spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana says they received a tip-ff regarding a truck that was transporting Khat from Gauteng via Kimberley to Cape Town.
He says they stopped the truck on the N12 near Warrenton where they found six boxes filled with 145 plants.
Captain Tawana says the driver told them that the boxes were to be delivered to specific people in Cape Town and a sting operation was put in place.
On Wednesday, police escorted to truck to the N1 filling station near Kraaifontein where the plants were to be delivered.
Captain Tawana says the recipients arrived in a Chevrolet Spark and as soon as they left the scene, police gave chase.
He says a high-speed chase ensued and the suspects eventually abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot.
One was arrested and he too will appear in court soon.
Khat is a plant native to the horn of Africa and was classified as a drug by the World Health Organisation in 1980.
The use of Khat is legal in several countries, but in South Africa, it is a protected specie and its use is illegal.
