Suspects to court for drugs worth R75 000 confiscated during midweek operations

The deployment of members during midweek crime combatting operations aimed at drug outlets, led to the confiscation of drugs with an estimated street value of R75 000-00 and the arrest of eight suspects in Beaufort West in the Central Karoo and Mossel Bay in the Garden Route.

On Tuesday, 20 August 2024, members attached to the Central Karoo District Task Team and Beaufort West police, armed with a search warrant, raided a premises at Van Niekerk Street, Rustdene in Beaufort West. The vigilant members conducted a search of the main house when they found 38 mandrax tablets. They expanded the search to a structure at the back of the house and where they discovered 882 mandrax tablets which were hidden in a hole under the bed. Police confiscated the drugs and arrested seven suspects who were found on the premises.

The suspects aged between 15 and 31 are facing a charge of dealing in drugs. They are expected to make their first court appearance in the Beaufort West Magistrates’ court on Thursday, 22 August 2024.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 21 August 2024, Kwanonqaba police in conjunction with Mossel Bay Law Enforcement and Immigration Services attached to the Department of Home Affairs embarked on a focused operation. The team proceeded to a business premises at Zone 5, Kwanonqaba where they conducted a search and discovered 430 mandrax tablets inside a spaza shop. They confiscated the drugs and arrested an undocumented person on a charge of dealing in drugs.

The suspect remains in police custody. He will appear in court once charged.

These midweek focused operations are aimed at safeguarding the communities and to rid communities of drugs as well as products which could harm unsuspecting customers.