Drugs over R1,3m seized by police in Margate

A 42-year-old man was arrested in possession of drugs worth R1,3 million in Margate on Sunday. 

The man was arrested after police received a tip-off while conducting an operation and is expected to appear before the Ramsgate Magistrates’ Court.

MAN FOUND IN POSSESSION OF VARIOUS DRUGS

Police officers were out in numbers to clean the province from drug dealings. Drug use and abuse contribute to the commission of a crime, and serious and violent crimes are committed after drug use, said Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala. 

Police from the Provincial Organised Crime Unit received information about a suspect who was travelling from Margate to transport drugs.

“The team held an observation on Sunday and the vehicle was spotted travelling along Maureen Street in Margate. 

“The vehicle was intercepted and the driver was searched where 13 orange and white capsules of heroin were found in his jeans pocket,”

said Lt-Col Gwala.

She said while searching the vehicle police found 26 bags of crystal meth, eight bags of cocaine uncut stones, 24 ecstasy tablets and four bags of plastics containing empty capsules. Furthermore, they also found a weighing scale, a one-litre bottle of acetone chemical that is used to mix the drugs and 22 boxes of infant powder were also found. 

The recovered drugs are valued at R1.3 million. The 42-year-old man was placed under arrest for possession and dealing with drugs. 

HAWKS OFFICERS AND A TRADITIONAL HEALER IN COURT

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, Hawks arrested two of their own and a traditional healer. 

A Lieutenant Colonel and a Captain working at Supply Chain Management at the National Headquarters Hawks officers were arrested on Friday 27 May.

“Information about a Lieutenant Colonel who intended to supply SAPS ammunition to a traditional healer was received, culminating in a sting operation. 

“The female traditional healer (43) was subsequently arrested at her place of residence in Soshanguve on 27 May 2022 after the exchange was made,”

said Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo.

The traditional healer was then charged with illegal possession of ammunition and possession of the suspected stolen property following the seizure of other items suspected to belong to the state. 

Mbambo said further investigation led to the arrest of a female Lieutenant Colonel who was charged with theft and dealing in ammunition. In the meantime, a female Captain was arrested and charged with defeating the ends of justice after it was discovered that she tried to conceal evidence in this matter.

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