Both private properties in residential suburbs and businesses in the Bloemfontein CBD have proved to be ideal locations for illicit drug use and trafficking.

This is evidenced by the Provincial Anti-Gang unit’s ongoing discoveries and arrests of suspects on charges relating to illicit drugs following intelligence-driven operations. Police have uncovered drugs ranging from dagga and Mandrax to cat, crystal meth and cocaine.

Drugs of about R109 000 seized at two properties

Residential areas of Bochabela, Heidedal, Ashbury, Joe Slovo and Navalsig have become hot spots. The police’s crackdown on Wednesday 24 June at two residential properties in Navalsig resulted in the arrest of two foreign nationals, aged 36 and 43.

Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, spokesperson for the provincial police, said the arrests followed members carrying out tactical raids on the two residential properties.

“Police confiscated a substantial quantity of cocaine, Mandrax, crystal meth and rock with an estimated street value of R74 000. Upon searching the first residence, members caught a 43-year-old foreign national red-handed, processing and dealing in an assortment of illicit drugs. At the second targeted house they intercepted the 36-year-old foreign national also found dealing in various narcotics, including crystal meth, rock and cat. The contraband seized at this property was valued at approximately R35 000,” said Kareli.

The value of the confiscated drugs was estimated at R109 000 combined.

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Police attacked by angry mob during raid

During a raid on 16 June in the Joe Slovo settlement, members of the Provincial Anti-Gang unit battled a furious mob of residents who attacked them in an attempt to prevent access to the private house of a suspected drug dealer. The 45-year-old homeowner allegedly unleashed his two vicious pit bull dogs on police while angry residents pelted officers with stones and damaged state vehicles.

Police eventually managed to arrest the homeowner alongside a 20-year-old man inside the residence. Both face charges of dealing in drugs. Police said the homeowner faces an additional charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm for allegedly releasing his dogs on members of SAPS.

Yet more arrests made

In a further major discovery, police uncovered an illegal drug manufacturing laboratory operating from a private house in Kala Street, Bochabela, where they arrested a 40-year-old foreign national on 9 May. Officers confiscated drugs, equipment used for producing various types of drugs, and foreign currency from Nigeria, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. According to police, the value of the drugs discovered at the laboratory was estimated at R289 477.

Additional arrests in May include a 45-year-old foreign national and a 26-year-old SA man in Navalsig and Heidedal for possession of various drugs, including Mandrax, cocaine and crystal meth. According to police, drugs confiscated at the foreign national’s residence were estimated at a street value of R20 000.

In Heidedal, police arrested a 26-year-old man after finding a large quantity of crystal meth valued at about R80 000. In both incidents, police confiscated an undisclosed amount of cash, suspected to be drug money.

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