Western Cape, South Africa – Police in the Western Cape have intensified their efforts to combat drug-related crimes, resulting in several arrests and the confiscation of illegal substances and police uniforms.
According to South African Police Service, Ceres police acted on intelligence regarding a potential drug delivery on Thursday, 16 November 2023. Officers surveilled the specified address and subsequently pursued and apprehended a 35-year-old man found in possession of 500 mandrax tablets. The suspect was arrested on charges of drug possession.
In a separate operation in Mfuleni in the early hours of Friday, 17 November 2023, police followed up on reports of drug dealing at an address in Alcantara Street, Wesbank. The search of the premises led to the seizure of mandrax tablets and two sets of police uniforms. A 35-year-old woman was detained on charges of drug possession and illegal possession of police uniforms.
Both suspects are expected to make court appearances at the Ceres and Blue Downs Magistrate courts, respectively, to face the charges against them.
Meanwhile, an intelligence-driven operation by Provincial Organised Crime Investigation detectives on 10 October 2022 led to the profiling and search of passengers on a flight from Dubai to Cape Town. This operation resulted in the arrest of a 47-year-old man on drug possession charges. After a lengthy trial, the suspect was sentenced on Friday, 17 November 2023, to 12 years in prison, with four years suspended for five years on the condition of not committing the same offense during this period.
These incidents underscore the ongoing efforts by Western Cape police to curb drug trafficking and related crimes, demonstrating their commitment to law enforcement and community safety.