East London – Fifteen suspects believed to be part of a drug-trafficking ring were arrested, over R4 million in cash confiscated, and R3.5 million worth of drugs seized during a major bust by police in East London in the Eastern Cape following a six-month long investigation.
“The arrests followed after Operation Damon, in which the drug-trafficking network in East London in the Eastern Cape, was investigated,” said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, the spokesperson for the country’s specialised crime fighting unit, the Hawks, on Thursday.
“Operation Damon, conceived in January this year, involved officials from the various police directorates, namely the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Policing (POP), the Forensic Science Laboratory and the K9 Unit,” Mulaudzi said.
The arrests were made after police carried out search warrants at 16 addresses in East London.
“At one location, the police found R3 million in cash stashed away in a vehicle. Further probing led the team to Kei Road, where almost R1.6 million worth of Mandrax tablets were found inside a trailer that had a concealed compartment to store and move the drugs. Two people were arrested immediately,” said Mulaudzi.
“In another raid in Buffalo Flats, the police seized R1.3 million in cash, two cash-counting machines, as well as at least 2 800 Mandrax tablets worth more than R1.6 million.”
Officers also seized some cocaine, dagga, tik, drug test tubes, computers and two vehicles.
Hawks head, Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, said Operation Damon was a good example of successes that could be achieved when various police directorates cooperated.
“We will not only arrest those who are involved in this type of organised crime, but we are committed to going further and targeting their illicit profits and assets,” said Ntlemeza.
He added: “Our multi-faceted approach involving intelligence gathering, enhanced law enforcement, prevention and intervention, will make a real difference in cracking down on the manufacturing and supply of illicit drugs.”
National Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, echoed his sentiments.
“The fact that this operation resulted in such a significant seizure of drugs and cash shows the excellent work the police are doing to reduce the influx of drugs in our communities,” she said.
She drummed home the message that “criminals need to know that drug activities will not be tolerated in our communities, and the results of these operations go a long way in sending that message”.
ANA