Youths make up a significant number of those arrested for the possession of drugs on Youth Day – Sunday, 16 June – during a crackdown in Bloemfontein’s areas of Heidedal, Opkoms, and Bloemspruit. The police reportedly discovered drugs ranging from Mandrax tablets, crystal meth, and dagga.
Col. Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the police in the Mangaung Metro region, said the suspects were aged between 22 and 33 years. He said the suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court today, 18 June, facing charges of dealing in drugs and possession of drugs. Six of them are men, while a 26-year-old woman was arrested whilst in possession of crystal meth weighing in at 2,112 kg during a raid in Karel Botman Road.
Covane said suspects found in possession of Mandrax tablets were arrested in Tom Swarts Street, Murrison Street, and Dr Belcher Road. The Mangaung Metro Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, comprising the police and traffic officers, swooped on them during operation against illicit drug usage on Youth Day.
“The objective is to ensure that Illicit drugs such as crystal meth does not continue to be used and affect the mental health and well-being of the youth in Mangaung Metro. Maj. Gen. Arthur Peter Adams instructed operational commanders in stations identified to carry out operational concepts in each and every street where drug peddlers proliferate drug trafficking,” said Covane. According to the police, more than 100 Mandrax tablets were confiscated during the arrests.
Covane said during the operation, three persons were issued with fines for transgressions against the Consumer Protection Act and possession of Illicit cigarettes.
