Three suspects were arrested during separate police operations after they were found in possession of drugs with an estimated combined street value of over R1.3 million.
THREE suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of drugs with an estimated combined street value of over R1.3 million during separate crime intelligence-driven operations that were conducted in the Frances Baard, Namakwa and Pixley ka Seme districts of the Northern Cape on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said on Wednesday that SAPS members from the Hartswater K9 and Kimberley K9 units acted on information regarding a woman who was allegedly dealing in drugs from her red Range Rover at the Hartswater taxi rank.
“The suspect’s vehicle was searched by both police officers and the narcotics dog ‘Eddie’, although no drugs could be found in the vehicle. The search proceeded to the suspect’s house in Extension 7 in Taung,” said Tawana.
He added that during the search at the suspect’s house, the narcotics dog led the handler to the suspect’s bedroom.
“Crystal meth weighing 12.7 grams with an estimated street value of R3,810, loose dagga weighing 5.4 kilograms with an estimated street value of R21,600, and heroin weighing 2.85 kilograms with an estimated street value of R1.2 million was discovered.”
Tawana said that the suspect was expected to appear in the Taung Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of dealing in drugs.
He added that during a separate operation, members of the Springbok Visible Police, the Upington K9 unit, the Local Criminal Record Centre and the Hawks intercepted a 34-year-old man with 312 “boss” mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R24,960.
“The team received information regarding a man who was travelling in a vehicle and believed to be in possession of a drug shipment,” said Tawana.
He also noted that another 32-year-old suspect was expected to appear in the Prieska Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of dealing in drugs.
“The suspect was arrested by the Prieska Visible Police members in Steenbok Single. The arrest of the suspect came after the police acted on intelligence regarding a wanted house-breaking suspect who could be hiding at the premises of the man suspected to be dealing in drugs.
“Upon arrival at the premises, the wanted suspect could not be found. However, a 32-year-old man who was found on the premises was searched and found in possession of 40 small zip-lock bags containing crystal meth, weighing 8.84 grams and with an estimated street value of R2,000, 12 quarters of mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R360, five packets of dagga with an estimated street value of R50 and cash to the value of R360 believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing,” Tawana stated.
∎ Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Tebogo Thebe said Nzuzo Buqa, 34, made a brief appearance in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after he was arrested by the Hawks for being in possession of mandrax tablets.
“Members received information about a suspect transporting drugs from Besig to O’Kiep. A disruptive operation was immediately conducted and a suspected vehicle was spotted and pursued,” said Thebe.
He stated that during the search, 312 mandrax tablets were found to the value of R24,960.
“The matter was postponed until July 18 for a formal bail application,” Thebe added.
