Several suspects were arrested during police operations in the Northern Cape over the weekend on various charges including dealing in drugs, contravention of the National Credit Act and contravention of the Immigration Act.
FOUR undocumented persons were arrested in Sizamile in Port Nolloth after they were found in possession of dagga with an estimated street value of R28,000.
The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation comprising multi-disciplinary law enforcement agencies.
Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said the team acted on information regarding drug dealing activities at a premises occupied by foreign nationals in Sizamile.
Tawana said drugs with an estimated street value of more than R28,000 and cash that was believed to be the proceeds of dealing in drugs were found on the premises.
“The suspects were also found to be illegally in the country, as they were undocumented. They are expected to appear in the Port Nolloth Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of dealing in dagga and contravention of the Immigration Act.”
Meanwhile, eight suspects were arrested on charges including dealing in drugs, contravention of the National Credit Act and contravention of the Immigration Act on November 18.
Tawana said members of the Northern Cape Highway Patrol and the Colesberg Visible Policing units held a static roadblock on the N1 weighbridge and conducted stop-and-searches and a blue-light patrol as part of Operation Vala Konke.
“The team confiscated 91 full mandrax tablets, five half mandrax tablets, 15 quarter mandrax tablets and khat drugs at the Malaykamp and arrested two suspects aged 30 and 31 years.”
He added that the cash that was believed to be the proceeds of dealing in drugs was also found in the suspect’s possession.
Tawana stated that a 40-year-old suspect was arrested at the Malaykamp in De Aar and charged with contravening the National Credit Act 34 of 2005.
The suspect was found in possession of seven Sassa cards, 41 bank cards and 32 identity documents. “He is suspected to be operating as a loan shark.”
Tawana indicated that another suspect was arrested in Nonzwakazi location in De Aar when he was found in possession of three full mandrax tablets and cash.
“Two undocumented Lesotho nationals were stopped and searched in De Aar and found in possession of 24 zip-lock bags containing dagga. They were detained and charged for dealing in dagga and contravention of the Immigration Act.”
Tawana stated that the suspects were expected to appear in the De Aar Magistrate’s Court on charges ranging from dealing in drugs, dealing in dagga, contravention of the National Credit Act and contravention of the Immigration Act.
He added that hydroponic dagga with an estimated street value of R100,000 was confiscated in Merenshylaan, Alexander Bay by members of Crime Intelligence on November 19.
Tawana said that two suspects on the premises were apprehended and charged with dealing drugs.
“They are expected to appear in the Port Nolloth Magistrate’s Court on November 21.”
Tawana said that four suspects were expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court on November 21 on charges of dealing in drugs and dagga.
“The suspects were arrested by members of the ZF Mgcawu district team, Upington K9 unit and members of security intelligence on November 19. During raids that were conducted on the premises, a combined total of drugs with an estimated street value of R6,000 were found in possession of the suspects.”