In a blow to the local drug trade, members of the Operation Vala Umgodi team apprehended four individuals and seized a large quantity of mandrax tablets in Kimberley.
IN A BLOW to the local drug trade, Kimberley law enforcement officers apprehended four individuals and seized a large quantity of mandrax tablets.
The operation, which took place on Tuesday, April 23, resulted in the confiscation of drugs with an estimated street value of R 65,210.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said that the multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi team was executing crime-prevention operations along Barkly Road when they were tipped off about the sale of narcotics in the area.
Acting on this intelligence, the team apprehended a 34-year-old man for possession of drugs and seized mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R1,470.
The operation’s momentum continued as the team received further information about drug transactions near Dingaan Hostel.
Upon arrival at the scene, a male suspect was searched and suspected drugs were found in his possession. Further investigation led the team members to a house in Galeshewe, where mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R 61,840 were confiscated. The 37-year-old male suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs.
The crackdown extended to another identified location in Galeshewe, where a 45-year-old man was taken into custody for possession of drugs and mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R780 were confiscated
Additionally, during stop-and-search actions, the team members spotted a blue Volkswagen Polo driving away from a suspected drug den.
The vehicle was stopped and searched after permission was granted by the driver. The police recovered mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R1,120. Cash and a cellphone were also seized.
A 30-year-old male suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs and the vehicle was also confiscated.
Shemane said that all the arrested suspects are slated to make a court appearance soon.
The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, meanwhile praised community members for their ongoing co-operation with the police and for providing crucial information that leads to the arrest of criminals and the removal of drugs from the streets.
She also commended the police officers for their prompt action in operationalising the intelligence received and for the arrests the team made.
