Police bust drug dealers in Secunda and Bethal
The suspects will appear before the Secunda Magistrate’s Court today, March 20.
The police closed down two drug labs and arrested suspected drug traffickers in Bethal and Secunda respectively in a disruptive operation on March 19.
A multi-disciplinary team comprising of the Secunda and Middelburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Department of Health, Secunda K9, Secunda CIG, Witbank Tactical Response team, Secunda POP and White River K9 knocked several places on Tuesday.
A major investigation led to addresses in Secunda and Bethal where drugs are reported to be manufactured and sold.
During the investigation, covert operations were conducted, and suspects linked to the alleged crime were identified.
A search and seizure warrant was authorised and executed. The first address was on a farm. A drug lab, ammunitions, and firearms were found and seized. A 70- year-old suspect was arrested and detained.
At a second address in Bethal, the SAPS seized processing equipment constituting a drug lab, 106 rounds of ammunition, 44 rounds of .38 special, 68 rounds of shot gun ammunition, 215 live rounds of .22 calibre and 11 9mm rounds.
Magic mushrooms, computers, and a dehydrator were also grabbed. A 40-year-old suspect was arrested and detained.
A third address in Secunda was searched and the police seized tablets, loose and packaged magic mushrooms, sweets and 54 cookies Coco powder. A 32-year-old woman was arrested.
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A fourth address in Secunda was searched. Dagga and magic mushroom plants and chemicals were seized. A 33-year-old suspect was arrested and detained.
At a business premises dry cannabis, weighing 1,560 kg, cannabis chewing gum and chocolates were seized, and a 35- year-old suspect was arrested and detained. The suspects will appeared before the Secunda Magistrate’s Court today, March 20.
“Drugs and drug trafficking is a challenge in our policing areas,” said the Mpumalanga head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber.
“It affects everybody, young and old. We shall leave no stone unturned to eradicate all forms of drug smuggling which destroys the very fibre of society, said Gerber.
