BEREA police went undercover on the Durban University of Technology campus on Monday afternoon and observed students dealing and buying drugs. The operation, held in conjunction with DUT Campus Protection Services saw students arrested for dealing in drugs and possession of drugs.
The successful undercover operation was in reaction to the rampant drug problem in the Warwick Triangle area which had filtered through to the university.
Under the command of Sergeant T James, the undercover operation was set up by Warrant Officer Deena Naidoo to observe the drug situation.
Lieutenant PN Naidoo, communications officer at Berea SAPS said the plainclothes officers infiltrated various hotspots on the campus.
“Some were stationed inside the cafeteria of the ML Sultan campus while another group was placed outside the Ritson Road campus,” he said. According to Naidoo, two young men were observed in the cafeteria, one seemed to be the dealer, while the other appeared to be an accomplice rolling dagga into cigarettes. When one of the suspects lit the dagga cigarette whilst in the cafeteria, undercover members pounced and searched them findings more dagga in the one suspect’s pockets. The two were immediately arrested.
Meanwhile, undercover police operating outside the Steve Biko campus on Mansfield Road also made headway after they observed four young men dealing and purchasing the drugs. Four men were arrested for dealing in drugs and possession of drugs.
Well over 100g of dagga was recovered in the operation. The dagga had been put into nearly 50 plastic packets for resale with an estimated street value of between R500 and R900.
Alan Khan, senior director of Corporate Affairs at the Durban University of Technology said Campus Protection Services at the DUT held regular meetings with the Crime Prevention Unit of the Berea SAPS where crime in the area was often highlighted. As a result of this working relationship joint operations are conducted in and around the Durban campus by both parties.
“Monday’s security operation was one of many operations conducted this year. Two students were arrested at the ML Sultan Campus. Two others were arrested at the Steve Biko Campus. Two students were arrested on charges of drug dealing while two were arrested for being in possession of drugs,” he said.
Khan added that the use and sale of drugs is a problem in the Warwick Triangle and not isolated to DUT.
“Information gathering and sharing between the University’s Protection Services and SAPS is of benefit to the University and community. This will be an ongoing exercise, especially because we have noted a decrease in the use of drugs on campus as a result of these joint efforts,” he added.
