A man arrested in possession of drugs is set to face charges related to drug dealing.

Police said the man is expected to make his first appearance before the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday after being arrested on Thursday at 11th Avenue during JMPD’s patrol in the area. He was found in possession of 10 small bags of Thai drugs and money amounting to R1 242.40.

Read more: JMPD arrests suspect for drug possession and dealing in Alexandra

According to JMPD, he admitted to dealing drugs and led officers to another stash kept in a nearby bottle store.

His arrest comes as local police intensify their grip on drug dealers in the community. Since the year began, at least six people have been arrested for drug-related crimes, according to Station Commander Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane.

Although the suspect was among four other men at the time of his arrest, Ngubane confirmed that he was the only one found in possession of drugs.

While some residents downplay police efforts in tackling the drug problem in the community, Ngubane reaffirmed the station’s commitment to addressing the issue. He noted that officers dealing with such cases are given specific targets.

Also read: Police need help to crack down on drug dealers

“We have targets. In a month, we want to arrest this number of people, and even if we meet the targets, we want more drug and firearm-related arrests.”

While drug-related arrests have already risen to six in less than nine days, Ngubane noted that this week police found only one person with an unlicensed firearm.

Despite appeals for anonymous tipoffs from the community, he said the recent recovery of the unlicensed firearm was the result of police action.

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