Last week from January 16, the police made arrests almost daily on various street corners and at houses. They even arrested a man in the Community Service Centre (CSC) of the Witbank SAPS, who was trying to smuggle drugs to someone in the holding cells. The police continue their relentless, yet never-ending crackdown on drugs in eMalahleni, one case at a time.
On January 16, the Witbank SAPS received reports of housebreaking suspects seen in Spring Valley, on the far side of Reyno Ridge. An officer drove out to Spring Valley with information about the suspected burglars. When he saw them, he approached them and asked to search them expecting to find some kind of tools that could be used in a burglary, but instead the officer allegedly found two pinches of drugs. The suspect was arrested and is set to appear in court soon.
On January 17, at the Witbank SAPS station, the W/O on duty was interviewing a man before permitting him to visit someone in the holding cells. Apparently the man was acting suspiciously and when they searched him, they found four pinches of drugs. The suspect was arrested on the spot at about 14:00. Another possession of drugs arrest was made in Watermeyer Street.
Several drug related arrests were made on January 18. The Saturday morning at 05:30 a 19 year old man was arrested in the Central Business District (CBD) in Arras Street. Police searched him and apparently found a plastic bag with dagga and a pipe used for smoking dagga.
At about 07:30 on the same day, two officers arrested a man who was apparently in possession of several thousand rands worth of drugs. The officers, who made the arrest, said that the suspect even tried to bribe them, to let him go. Capt Eddie Hall, a spokesperson for the SAPS, said that bribery is a very serious crime in itself and should not be taken lightly. Another arrest was made in Lukin Street later that day.
On January 20, police acted on information about the resident of a house in Winsor Street, who was apparently selling or using drugs. Two officers knocked on the door and asked the owner of the house if they could search the premises.
During the search they apparently found four bags of dagga hidden in a pillowcase. The suspect was arrested and charged with possession of drugs. Const David Ratau of the Witbank SAPS has stated earlier this year that the police are also clamping down on drugs in schools, as this is an ever growing concern the community should also be aware of.
If you would like to report a drug related crime, contact the Witbank SAPS on 013 656 5082 or if you are suffering from addiction contact SANCA on 013 656 2370.
