Hawks net suspected drug dealer in Bethal for a second time
The Nigerian man is also awaiting trial at the Bethal Regional Court on another related drug-dealing charge.
A Nigerian man (31) is appearing in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court today (October 22) for allegedly selling crystal meth.
The Secunda Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI), known as the Hawks, arrested the man during an operation in Bethal yesterday. The operation was supported by the Secunda K9 Unit and Secunda Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG).
The Hawks received information early in the morning that the man was allegedly distributing crystal methamphetamine in and around Bethal. Further intelligence received at about 08:30 indicated that he was travelling in a white Volkswagen Polo and allegedly carrying drugs.
The suspect was stopped and searched, resulting in the seizure of about 55 grams of crystal methamphetamine valued at an estimated R20 000.
The team also seized a weighing scale valued at about R500, three cellphones valued at about R5 000, and a white Volkswagen Polo estimated at R50 000. The total estimated value of the seized items is R75 500.
According to the Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the man was previously arrested in June 2021 during Operation Dream On, an investigation into a drug-trafficking group operating in Bethal. He is awaiting trial at the Bethal Regional Court on a related drug-dealing charge.
The latest intelligence indicates that the arrested man allegedly continued supplying crystal methamphetamine in the area.
The Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Brigadier Bruce Davenport, said the Hawks in Mpumalanga remain committed to dismantling drug-trafficking networks and bringing suspected suppliers to justice.
Brigadier Davenport the public to report suspected drug-related activities to law-enforcement agencies. “Community cooperation is essential in combating organised crime,” concluded Davenport.
