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A motor vehicle accident near Standerton led to the arrest of two suspected drug dealers after police discovered nearly 100kg of dagga in one of the vehicles involved.

The two suspects, aged 32 and 26, were arrested following a collision on the R39 at the Grootdraai Dam T-junction on Wednesday.

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Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe said members attached to Standerton Visible Policing responded to reports of an accident involving a silver Toyota Yaris and a white VW Polo.

Upon arrival, officers found the Toyota Yaris stationary on the roadway with extensive damage to the driver’s side.

“The driver was unresponsive and was transported to a local medical facility by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for treatment,” said Nonyane-Mpe.

Police then approached the VW Polo, which had come to a standstill in a nearby field.

According to Nonyane-Mpe, the driver told officers that he had been travelling with a passenger.

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“During a subsequent inspection of the vehicle, the police discovered several black plastic bags containing dagga,” she said.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 97kg of dagga with an estimated street value of about R582 000.

The driver and passenger were immediately arrested on charges of dealing in drugs.

Police also confiscated the VW Polo, which was fitted with Northern Cape registration plates, as part of the investigation.

Neither suspect was injured in the accident.

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The pair are expected to appear in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of dealing in drugs.

The driver will also face an additional charge of reckless and negligent driving.

Police investigations are continuing.