Couple in court over drugs
A couple that was arrested in Soshanguve for drug dealing has appeared in court.
A Soshanguve couple accused of dealing in drugs briefly appeared in the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, police said.
The matter was postponed to June 23 for further investigation, said police spokesperson Warrant Officer Lolo Mangena.
Mothobisi Masina (29) and his partner Kgopotso Bokaba (20) remained in custody.
They were arrested last Friday after allegedly being caught with nyaope, dagga bags and cocaine rocks worth over R300 000 in their possession.
This happened during a multi-disciplinary operation led by the K9 dog unit, backed up by crime intelligence as well as the tactical response team (TRT).
The couple was arrested at their home in block P Soshanguve.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Lolo Mangena said the police seized 60kg of dagga, 800 cocaine rocks and 2 300 nyaope sachets, all worth R300 000.
“The police received an anonymous tip-off that led to the arrest of the suspected couple and the confiscation of drugs,” said Mangena.
Mangena said a man aged 29 and his 25-year-old woman companion were arrested at their house.
Members of the Soshanguve K9 Unit and members from other specialised units followed up on information that led them to the plot at Block P 1724.
“We are thankful to the community for coming forward with this information. This shows what we can achieve when we work together,” said Mangena, adding that police were casting their net wider to catch more drug dealers.
“We think the plot was used to store the drugs. Drugs are a big problem in our communities. We need to work together with all stakeholders to get rid of the problem which affects us all,” he said.
“We think many of the house robberies and break-ins are due to people needing money for drugs.”
A week prior to the couple’s arrest, the Pretoria K9 members took four people into custody for possession of dagga at a houses in Itsoseng, Mabopane.
“It is alleged that two suspects were busy sorting out packages when the police pounced on them,” said Mangena.
On the scene, police found sixteen bags (80kg per bag) of dagga and several packages of pokes ready to be sold.
“The goods found are estimated to be worth more than R200 000. It is not yet known who is supplying and buying from the suspects and investigations continue,” said Mangena.
Two more people were arrested later at the petrol filling station in Block A Mabopane for seeking to bribe police with cash.
They appeared in the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of possession and dealing with drugs and bribery.
Mangena said the police were determined to step up the fight against nyaope in the community.
“Anyone caught for possession of nyaope will be interrogated, and forced to reveal the name or the address of his dealer.”
Drugs were destroying the community, he said.
