Dagga kingpin nabbed, R3 million in drugs recovered
MIDRAND - During a police operation, a dagga kingpin was arrested and about R3 million worth of marijuana, which was packed and marked for some areas in Fourways, was recovered.
Glenferness resident and ex-member of the Sector 2 Midrand Community Policing Forum (CPF), Wayne Woodword, was involved in the operation, and said he had never seen anything like this bust before – despite having partaken in numerous drug raids in the past.
Constable Matome Tlamela, communications officer at the Midrand Police Station, said the operation, which led to the arrest of a man in his thirties, occurred on 31 July, after police received a tip-off.
Woodword said the bust occurred right under the police’s nose, as the complex where the drugs were recovered was about 100 metres from the Midrand Police Station.
He said the suspect that was arrested had possible ties with drug syndicates in Cape Town and Durban.
When the police operation, which involved members of the CPF, entered the suspect’s garage, they found tightly compressed bags of dagga which were marked for particular areas within Johannesburg. Woodword said many of the bags were marked for Douglasdale. He said there were also bags marked ‘s’ which CPF members and police officers speculated could be Sun Valley or Sunninghill.
“I was so impressed with the Sector 2 manager, Sergeant Benji Nkatingi, for the way he conducted the operation. Everything went smoothly and professionally,” Woodword said. “If it were not for the community we would not be able to bring guys like this to book,” he added.
Tlamela and Woodword wanted to congratulate all the officers and CPF members involved for a job well done. “Sergeant Benji Nkatingi, Constable Rophny Letsoalo, Constable Nthabiseng Letsholo, Kyle Woodword, Jack Bonner and John Taylor must all be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication and for helping clean up the area,” Woodword said.
