According to police, the dagga was being transported from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape.

"A white Toyota Quantum with a trailer was stopped and searched on Sunday, and 57 bags of dagga with an estimated street value of R12.8m were confiscated and the suspect arrested for dealing in dagga," said police spokesperson Captain Ursula Roelofse.

It is believed that the "skunk" dagga was loaded at Lusikisiki and was on the way to the Western Cape. 

"Aliwal North, Queenstown and Elliot cluster commanders celebrated the success and commended the combined forces on the drug bust," said Roelofse.

The operation was conducted by members of the South African Police Service, Crime Intelligence members from Aliwal North and Queenstown, the K9 unit and members from the clusters operational command centres.

News24