Police bust notorious Glenwood drug den

THE Provincial Drug Task Team clamped down on a notorious house of ill repute and drug den in Glenwood on Thursday, 12 December much to the delight and appreciation of community members who live in proximity to the property.

The task team arrested two suspected drug dealers at the Crart Avenue home after a two week operation in which undercover police officers made controlled purchases from a man and a woman.

Some months ago The Berea Mail received numerous complaints from nearby residents who believed the home was a drug den and home to five prostitutes. “We knew the cottage was being let out to a Nigerian pimp who had five working girls and reported it to police,” a former resident of Crart Avene said on condition of anonymity.

According to Colonel Jay Naicker, provincial police spokesman, agents made three purchases from the suspects during the operation. “They bought cocaine to the value of R7500. When detectives swooped on the suspects they were found in possession of cocaine valued at R2000,” he said.

Both suspects were charged with dealing in drugs.

“The main suspect is a 33-year-old Nigerian national who was arrested earlier this year for the same offence and continued to ply his trade while he was out on bail. His 26-year-old Mozambiquan girlfriend was also arrested as she also sold drugs to the agents,” said Naicker.

During the past year, members of the Provincial Detective Drug Task team have arrested 19 drug dealers in similar operations. “The team has a 100 per cent success and conviction rate due to the manner in which they conduct their operations and gather evidence to secure a successful conviction. In conjunction with the Asset Forfeiture Unit, the team attached R2-million in assets of drug syndicates which included properties, vehicles, and cash which have been forfeited to the state. Drugs to the street value of R6-million was seized during their operations,” he added.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni congratulated the team on their success. “This team was formed after we found the need for an additional capacity to complement the various other drug interventions we have in place in the Province. Although it is time consuming and costly, it is important that we have such operations to ensure that drug dealers are brought to book,” she said.

Heather Rorick Chairman of the Bulwer Community Safety Forum welcomed the bust and arrests. “Many residents have complained to the Bulwer Community Safety Forum of this same house as well as many others in the area that are either housing prostitution or dealing in other criminal activities. It is very encouraging for the residents of Glenwood to know that these busts are taking place, and that the authorities are finally hearing the plea of the Glenwood residents to clean up their suburb of drugs and prostitution. Thank you and well done to SAPS and everyone else involved in this bust,” she said.