At least 14 people have been arrested in connection with drug-related offences in the Uitenhage and Humandsorp policing clusters this weekend, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape said.
SAPS officials remained committed in their efforts to continuously seize drugs that contributed to the destruction of the lives of the communities the SAPS served, Captain Gerda Swart said.
“During the weekend police officers made their presence felt by swooping on several drug dens. Police intelligence was followed up and several successes were obtained and suspects were apprehended for the illegal possession of drugs,” she said.
Late on Friday, SAPS officers from Kamesh and the operational command centre in Uitenhage conducted a search at Hillwacht Road, Kabah and arrested a 48-year-old man found in possession of three bags of dagga, dagga trees, cash, and “bankies dagga” with an estimated value of R4000. The suspect was detained on a charge of dealing in dagga.
The team searched a residence in Mooimeisie Street, Rosedale and confiscated dagga and Mandrax worth more than R3000. No arrests were made. Later on Saturday morning, officers searched premises in Hillwach Road, Kabah and seized 10 dagga plants, wrapped dagga, and cash worth over R1000. A 55-year-old man was arrested for dealing in dagga, Swart said.
On Saturday afternoon a 53-year-old man was arrested in Grompou Street, Rosedale for being in possession of 40 Mandrax tablets and dagga worth over R3000. The suspect was arrested on a charge of dealing in Mandrax.
On Friday night, SAPS members from Joubertina received valuable information and arrested a 35-year-old man in Omega Street, Ravinia, for possession of Mandrax after Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R1500 were seized. Ten more arrests were effected at stations in the Humandsorp cluster for the illegal possession of smaller quantities of drugs.
All the suspects would appear in various magistrate’s courts in and around the Uitenhage and Humansdorp areas on drug-related charges, Swart said.
“The South African Police Service wants to encourage the community to work with the SAPS in reducing crime and they appeal to the community to provide valuable information that will lead to the confiscation of illegal firearms, drugs, and the arrest of those involved. Contact Crime Stop 08600 10111 or Crime Line SMS 32211 with information,” Swart said.
– African News Agency (ANA)
