Kimberly - Police in the Northern Cape have swooped on major drug lords throughout the province and drugs with an estimated street value of more than R6 million, including 4.85 kilogrammes of cocaine, have been seized in the first seven days of this month.
In one operation, 4.85 kilogrammes of cocaine, with an estimated street value of R4.85 million, was confiscated from a house in Upington, while in Kimberley more than R750 000 in dagga, on its way to the Dingaan Hostel in Galeshewe, was intercepted.
A 21-year-old man, Spamandla Ndlovu, appeared in the Upington Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with the cocaine.
He will remain in police custody and the case was remanded until Thursday next week (October 15) for a formal bail application.
Police spokesman, Brigadier Masebueng Mochologi-Maleeme, head of Corporate Communication, said on Wednesday that in the last week the police had succeeded in infiltrating a number of drug dens and had arrested suspects in intelligence-driven operations.
“These raids will be held on a regular basis as we take up the fight against drug dealers and peddlers.”
In the first seven days of this month, since the launch of the operation, several successes were achieved.
Last Thursday, on October 1, the Kimberley police arrested two men, aged 21 and 26 years, after they were found in possession of 33 bags of dagga with an estimated street value of R772 500, which were loaded onto the back of the bakkie.
“The arrests came after police received information about a white bakkie travelling on the N8 from Bloemfontein to the Dingaan Hostel in Galeshewe.
Mochologi-Maleeme said a stakeout was arranged and the vehicle was searched and dagga weighing 154.5 kilogrammes was confiscated.
“The operation was conducted with Kimberley Crime Intelligence and the Flying Squad.”
The following day, 200 mandrax tablets, with an estimated street value of R16 000, were seized and a suspect was arrested in Kimberley and charged with dealing in drugs.
On Saturday, 31 kilogrammes of dagga, with an estimated street value of R120 000, was also confiscated at the Dingaan Hostel. No arrests were made.
“On Sunday, the Pabalello and Rosedale Crime Prevention Units and Crime Intelligence members followed up information received about suspicious activities relating to drugs in Klippunt, Upington.
“The suspect vehicle was spotted at about 8.50pm and stopped by police. Two bags of dagga were found inside. Further investigations led police to a house in Upington where another two bags of dagga were seized.
“A total of 38 kilogrammes of dagga, with an estimated street value of R338 250, was confiscated. Three suspects were arrested and appeared in the Upington Magistrate’s Court earlier this week. Two were released on R500 bail while the case against the third suspect was withdrawn. The case was remanded to November 4.”
The biggest bust came on Monday this week when the Pabalello police received information about the sale of drugs at a house in the area.
“The Crime Prevention Unit followed up on the information and a 21-year-old suspect was arrested.”
In the raid, police confiscated 4.85 kilogrammes of cocaine (with an estimated street value of R4.85 million), a pot used for cooking/steaming drugs, as well as 13 quarter pieces of mandrax (valued at R390), two whole mandrax tablets (R200) and two packets of tik (R60).
On the same day, the Pabalello police also arrested a 35-year-old man for dealing in drugs.
“Following up on information received, the suspect’s premises were searched in Beulah Sam Street and the following items were confiscated: four tubes containing 10 mandrax tablets, each with an estimated street value of R4 000, one packet of tik (R30) and two packets of dagga (R40).
On Tuesday, members of Roodepan Crime Prevention and the Kimberly K9 Unit received a tip-off regarding drugs at a house in Canary Street, Roodepan, around 10.30am.
“The information was followed up and the premises were searched and 90 mandrax tablets, 80 straws of tik, 20 quarters of mandrax tablets and 11 half mandrax tablets were found in possession of the suspect, a 21-year-old woman. The police also recovered two cell phones and cash.
“Drugs with an estimated street value of R6 420 and cash were confiscated.”
The female suspect is expected to appear in court soon.
“The large number of successful arrests and confiscations is an indication to the community and a warning to the criminals that the police are working tirelessly to bust the drug dealers and sellers ensuring that the different drugs such as mandrax, tik, khat and cocaine do not reach the public,” Brigadier Mochologi-Maleeme said.
He added that the SAPS was doing a sterling job in apprehending drug dealers and ensuring that the illegal drug trade was crippled.
“The community is urged to report any knowledge of drug dealing to the police. Making our communities drug free is something we need to work on together.”
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