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Three people were arrested in police operations in Welkom in the Free State and Mayfield Park in Johannesburg where drugs with a street value of nearly R55m were seized.
Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase, said the intelligence-driven operation on Friday was conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence, TRT Welkom, and K9 units from Welkom and Sasolburg.
He said the suspects were monitored over a period of time by the Hawks and Crime Intelligence team as they allegedly sold a consignment of drugs on several occasions to a police agent.
“The search and seizure operation started in Welkom where two suspects were arrested.
This came after the team found 11 packets of Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R900 000 concealed inside their vehicle.”
Nkwalase said the investigating team later proceeded to Mayfield Park, Johannesburg, where they sized 910 000 Mandrax tablets, 3 kg of crystal meth, a large amount of chemicals valued at over R400 000. One suspect was arrested.
“The assortment of drugs that were found in Mayfield Park have an estimated street value of R54 million,” he said.
Four vehicles were also seized as well as an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspects are expected to make their first court appearances in their respective provinces on Monday.
