By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
The South African Police Service (SAPS) seized 3 million rand worth of methamphetamine during an intelligence operation raid in Diepsloot on Sunday.
The Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, said that he had received a tip off that there were two men dealing the drugs in the area and so following an investigation the officers had searched the property that was utilised by the suspects.
“The team found a black refuse bag hidden under a mattress containing suspected crystal meth drugs weighing approximately 10kg, with an estimated street value of about 3 million” said the Commissioner.
The police had apprehended a 35 year old suspect during the sting operation. The operation was conducted by Counter Narcotics Crime Intelligence in tandem with the West Rand Tactical Response, as well as the West Rand K9 Unit on Sunday, May 31.
“The team operationalised information about two men dealing drugs in Diepsloot. The place was identified and upon searching the premises, the team found a black refuse bag hidden under a mattress containing suspected crystal meth drugs with an estimated street value of 3 million.” said Gauteng Police Spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.
Nevhuhulwi had stated that the 35 year old man was arrested for possession of drugs while further investigations continue to unfold, there is a second suspect that is linked to the operation.
“We remain committed in removing drugs from our streets and hold those responsible accountable. Drug pedalling will not be tolerated in our province” said Mthombeni.
The 35 year old unnamed suspect appeared in the Randburg Magistrates Court yesterday as the drug seizure follows days after South African Border Authorities had intercepted a drug trafficking operation with the deal valued at R1 billion at Beitridge Port of Entry.
The relevant officials uncovered 713Kg of Methaquolone, a chemical used when manufacturing mandrax.
The drugs were discovered in a truck bringing the products from Malawi.
Three suspects were arrested in that operation which was regarded as the biggest drug bust in recent years and this has resurged some concern on organised drug cartels having a grip on the streets of Gauteng or even the country at large.
On 23 May SAPS arrested a drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport following an intelligence operation. One of the suspects arrested was a Dutch National who was leaving for Germany when he was intercepted by the authorities.
The authorities had discovered 40 kilograms of Khat which was concealed in the suspects luggage.
A week-long operation took place between 25-31 May which had led to 15,222 suspects apprehended which includes 2,462 wanted suspects that the authorities were on the look out for. These suspects were linked to crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, sexual assault and various instances of carjacking.
SAPS also conducted operations which intercepted cross border drug trafficking which resulted in the arrest of 254 alleged drug dealers.