A Nigerian national was arrested following a multidisciplinary law-enforcement operation in which drugs with an estimated value of R1.2m were seized.

Police received a tip-off about a Nigerian man allegedly dealing in drugs and applied for a search warrant, which was granted.

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The bust was made in the early hours of today, Friday, January 9, at a block of flats near Stonehenge in Mbombela. The operation was carried out by the White River K9 Unit, the Tactical Response Team and the Provincial Head Office Organised Crime Investigation Narcotics Unit.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said that during the search, a SAPS canine detected a hidden compartment inside a wardrobe, where a large quantity of narcotics was concealed.

The following items were recovered:
* 1.8kg crystal methamphetamine
* 900g cocaine
* 58 large rocks of crack cocaine
* One disco biscuit of crack cocaine
* One full moon of crack cocaine
* 229g freshly manufactured (still wet) crack cocaine
* 250g heroin
* Cash amounting to R44 800.

The suspect was arrested and charged with:
* Dealing in drugs
* Manufacturing of drugs
* Identity fraud
* Contravention of the Immigration Act.

He is expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court soon.