Five South African men have been arrested after the police discovered dagga with an estimated value of R1 500 000, an unlicensed firearm as well as live ammunition rounds in an apartment at Bloemfontein’s Brandwag flats. The police pounced on the suspected drug dealers, aged between 20 and 41 years, in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 August.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court, today – Thursday, 15 August – charged with drug dealing.
Lt Col Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the police in the Mangaung Metro, said based on preliminary evidence, the flat unit where the men were arrested is used as a place of trade.
“The unit is used as a storage for dagga, packaging, and drug preparation before being distributed. The suspects were caught in the act of preparing and packaging dagga intended to be distributed for peddling at different identified schools in Harris Street and Victoria Road, Willows, and institutions of higher learning in President Brand Street and Nelson Mandela Drive,” said Covane.
The police acted after receiving information.
“The Mangaung Metro Tactical Response Team (TRT) received intelligence about drug suppliers operating from a unit at white flats in Brandwag, Bloemfontein. Observation was held on the targeted unit and the team pounced on the suspects at about 01:30,” said Covane.
He said during the search, members seized a 9 mm pistol, magazine, and ammunition. “The firearm was found hidden between mattresses where the 21-year-old suspect sleeps,” he said.
“Members seized dagga rolled into joints; packaged in different sizes of zip-lock plastic bags, and some loosely kept in containers weighing 62,55 kg. Dagga is estimated to worth R1 500 000 in street value. An iKhokha speed point machine used for electronic payments and cash believed to be the proceeds of drugs sales, were also confiscated,” said Covane.
