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At least we can tip our hat at SAPS for doing something to get those nasty drugs off our streets.
The South African Police Service and the Hawks have been working overtime busting massive drug operations across the country, with a drug lab bust in Limpopo thought to be valued at R2 billion last week and an R252 million cocaine seizure in Stilbaai over the weekend.
Nice one, okes. That’s what we like to see.
TimesLIVE reported that the Limpopo police busted the massive drug lab in the Groblersdal area, where drugs valued at R2bn were found.
According to police ministerial spokesperson, Kamogelo Mokgotsi, the Hawks in Limpopo received information about suspicious activities taking place at the farm.
“The information was then operationalised and the multidisciplinary team pounced. Four structures on the property were searched and large quantities of chemicals used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs including acetone as well as crystal meth with an estimated street value of R2bn were recovered,” Mokgotsi said.
Four suspects, including the farm owner and two Mexican nationals, were arrested last Friday in an intelligence-driven operation by members of the Limpopo Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) team, assisted by the Limpopo tactical response team.
Mokgotsi added that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has since the beginning of this year uncovered 10 clandestine drug laboratories and made 34 arrests.
While this latest investigation continues, the arrested suspects were to make their first appearance in the Groblersdal magistrate’s court yesterday on charges of manufacturing, dealing in and possession of illicit drugs.
“The Hawks are not ruling out the possibility of more suspects being arrested,” said Mokgotsi.
Then, police chased a Russian national accused of smuggling cocaine worth R252 million into the Western Cape through the quiet town of Stilbaai along the Garden Route at the weekend.
Cape Argus reported that the 39-year-old man, who was busted alongside his accomplice from Gauteng, was caught after he initially managed to escape during the chase.
The escape was short-lived as police traced the suspects to a local establishment, Police spokesperson, Christopher Spies, said, noting that the dramatic arrest unfolded on Friday when police received a tip-off about suspicious activities at the Stilbaai Harbour.
“On Friday at about 6.50pm, Stilbaai officers operationalised information about suspicious activities at the Stilbaai Harbour. While travelling the members spotted the vehicle with a rubber duck on the trailer, which fitted the description.
At this point, the vehicle sped off and a chase ensued.
“Police brought the vehicle, a Toyota Pajero, to a halt at Jongensfontein Road, Stilbaai, where the occupants got out and fled into the bushes.
Finally, the two men were tracked down and apprehended at a local accommodation establishment, said Spies. When the cops inspected the rubber duck, they discovered 14 bags containing 400 bricks of cocaine worth R252 million. Eish, my bru’s, that’s why they call Cape Town ‘Powder Town’.
The suspects, a 48-year-old man from Gauteng and a 39-year-old Russian national, are each facing a charge of dealing in drugs. They remain in police custody and will appear in court once charged, Spies confirmed.
An investigation into the origins of the drugs is now underway, and the case has now been transferred to the Hawks.
The Western Cape Provincial Community Police Board spokesperson, Justin Kumlehn, said the most recent bust is a substantial blow to the illicit drug trade within the Western Cape.
“The actions and calibre of the officers involved in this operation give us hope in the SAPS and a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Board called on the courts to deny any bail applications brought by the duo as the investigation unfolds
More, more, more busts, please! Let’s get the filth off the streets.
