Northern Cape police makes massive drug bust in Kimberley
Police in Kimberley have uncovered a drug laboratory with narcotics and equipment worth millions.
Police have arrested one person, following a drug bust in West End, Kimberley on Saturday.
A drug laboratory was discovered in a flat in the area, where the South African Police Services (SAPS), where drugs and equipment worth about R10 million were confiscated.
Police confirm Kimberley drug bust
The Northern Cape SAPS confirmed that they had conducted an operation in the flat after a tip-off.
“The organised crime unit from Northern Cape provincial detectives, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Doggie Magugu, operationalised information received about a flat used as a drug lab,” Lieutenant Colonel Dimakatso Mooi said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dimakatso Mooi
After a further probe on arrival at the premises, the unit discovered drugs, chemicals, scales, packaging equipment, and other chemical containers.
“The flat was cleaned out and all confiscated drugs and equipment are estimated to [be worth] R10 million. While the police were busy with the search, a suspicious person was noticed passing near the flat and was immediately stopped and searched. Tik [crystal methamphetamine] with an estimated street value of R2 500 was found in his possession.”
Lieutenant Colonel Dimakatso Mooi
Tip-offs aiding Kimberley’s war against drugs
This comes after a similar bust in the same region earlier in the year.
On Tuesday 7 January, police confiscated of the narcotic powder, khat as well as tik, with a combined street value worth around R1.7 million, apprehending a 30-year-old male in the process. The bust came after the SAPS raided a house, plus a car, in the suburb of Herlear.
The arrest was also with the help of a tip-off, which led to the discovery.
Provincial police spokesperson Risimati Shivuri lauded police members, along with the community for their assistance in bringing the perpetrators to book.
“Together we can turn the tide against crime. We will continue to squeeze the space for criminals to operate,” Shivuri said.
Lieutenant Colonel Risimati Shivuuri
A tip-off in Cassandra led to another arrest conducted by priority crime unit the Hawks, alongside the Kimberley K9 unit back in August 2019.
The Hawks said the drugs were being transported to Colville at the time when the bust, which led to the arrest of the 38-year-old male, was made.
“The team jumped on the information and managed to spot and stop the suspected vehicle were a small amount of tik was seized.”
The Hawks
