Police seize millions in drugs over the last couple of weeks
Between this week and last, three drug busts were carried out. The collective value of the narcotics came to over R3,5 million.
The first of the busts occurred in Valencia on July 16. A 33-year-old suspect appeared in court for dealing in drugs on Monday; the case was postponed to a later date.
Upon searching the suspect’s house, the police found plastic bags of dagga with an estimated street value of R10 000, crystal meth with an estimated value of R1 000, magic mushrooms, scales and some chemicals suspected to have been used to manufacture drugs. The police also seized two toy guns and a pellet gun.
In the second incident, an intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of three suspects who were found with drugs worth over R2,5 million.
Nelspruit Flying Squad members acted on information received from the Crime Intelligence Unit and the suspects, two men aged 39 and 25, and a woman aged 27, were arrested at the KaNyamazane Stadium.
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Police members approached the suspects’ vehicle, ordered the occupants to alight and began with a search.
Three bags of suspected drugs, one on the front seat and two stashed in a compartment situated underneath the front passenger seat, were found. The drugs were tested by the White River K9 Unit and confirmed to be heroin. As a result, they were confiscated together with the suspects’ vehicle, hence the arrest.
The suspects appeared before the KaNyamazane Magistrate’s Court on July 21, facing a charge of dealing in drugs. The outcome is not yet known.
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Lastly, a 38-year-old man is due to appear in the Low’s Creek Magistrate’s Court today on charges of being in possession of dagga valued at R1 million.
According to the police report, a vehicle was stopped and searched and the police discovered 19 bags of dagga weighing about 341,7 kilograms. The man was immediately arrested and charged accordingly.
The police also confiscated the vehicle as it was used in the commission of crime. The preliminary investigation has since revealed that the suspect is from the Kingdom of eSwatini, and apart from the charge of dealing in dagga, the police found that the suspect may face more charges relating to being in the country illegally.
In separate border incidents
The police continue to make their presence felt at the borders, with an aim to ensure that citizens live in a safe environment.
Members conducted operations at Oshoek Port of Entry on July 19, where they arrested two suspects in possession of dagga.
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One had hidden his dagga, with an estimated street value of R96 814, under the trailer of the truck he was driving. The truck and trailer were seized, as they were reportedly used in the commission of crime. The suspect is facing charges relating to dealing in dagga.
The other suspect was found in possession of dagga weighing about three kilograms with an estimated street value of about R4 500 and a television set valued at about R7 000. The police also found abandoned dagga with an estimated street value of about R4 540.
