Drug dealers are extending their markets by invading parts of the country not usually associated with drug-taking.
According to the police, drug syndicates are spreading their business from big cities - and authorities are concerned by the trend.
This year, dozens of pushers have been arrested for peddling drugs in areas around Nelspruit and Bloemfontein.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Superintendent Isak van Zyl said on Tuesday that 23 people from Nigeria, Pakistan and Mozambique had been arrested at the weekend.
'They're freely available on Free State streets ' Drugs worth more than R200 000 were confiscated.
"The 23 were arrested during a major operation in the Nelspruit, Hazyview and Sabie areas, among others.
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"Cocaine, Mandrax, Ecstasy, rocks (crack cocaine) and LSD were recovered."
"There is a serious increase in drug dealing in our area," Van Zyl said.
"We think that most of the syndicates originate from wealthy provinces such as Gauteng."
"Apparently they have established a market in our area because more and more young people are taking drugs."
He said 19 people, believed to be members of drug syndicates, were arrested in Secunda at the beginning of the year while another eight were arrested in Witbank in March.
"There is a drug route between Mozambique and Gauteng but we're achieving success through our continuous operations," Van Zyl said.
In Bloemfontein, 13 people were arrested during a raid at a nightclub and flats in the central business district earlier this month.
Free State police spokesperson Inspector Lorain Kalp said there was an increase in active drug syndicates operating in the area.
"These syndicates are believed to be from other provinces who try their luck in our province."
"During the operation, cocaine, heroin, Mandrax, LSD, Ecstasy and rocks were confiscated."
"These alleged drug dealers, who are all from West African countries, target men and women between the ages of 16 and 29.
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