Police spokesperson, Colonel Sibongile Soci, said it was suspected the person or people intended to illegally cross the border from Lesotho to South Africa with the items but got "cold feet" when they saw the roadblock.

The items – which included several cartons of cigarettes, tobacco and beer valued at R7 540 – were found at the Telle River near Qoboshane village and confiscated.

On the same day at about 19:00, while conducting daily operations, police officers stopped and searched a Toyota Corolla and its three occupants near the border.

"Upon searching the vehicle, four bags of dagga weighing 26kg valued at R39 000 were discovered in the boot. The suspects were arrested and the vehicle was confiscated. The suspects' ages are between 20 and 45," Soci said.

Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga praised the good relations and synergy between the South African Police Service and South African National Defence Force and commended them for ensuring that the Disaster Management Act regulations were enforced.

News24