{"id":294919,"date":"2026-04-10T09:20:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T07:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/?p=294919"},"modified":"2026-04-10T09:20:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T07:20:47","slug":"former-sandf-soldier-arrested-in-drug-bust-to-appear-in-middelburg-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/former-sandf-soldier-arrested-in-drug-bust-to-appear-in-middelburg-court\/","title":{"rendered":"Former SANDF soldier arrested in drug bust, to appear in Middelburg court"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>MIDDELBURG:<\/strong> A rigorously coordinated, intelligence-led multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation has culminated in the successful apprehension of a 60-year-old former South African National Defence Force soldier on 9 April. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He faces charges relating to dealing in illicit narcotics in Middelburg and is scheduled to appear before the Middelburg Magistrate&#8217;s Court on 10 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the operation was executed through the seamless integration of specialised capacities from the Gqeberha Hawks&#8217; South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), operating under the auspices of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation, in concert with the Middelburg Local Criminal Record Centre, Nxuba, Graaff-Reinet K9 Unit, Nxuba Crime Intelligence, Chris Hani SAPS District Task Team, and Middelburg SAPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The investigation into the matter was formally initiated in August 2025, advanced by sustained community-derived intelligence and frequent complaints relating to the pervasive distribution of illicit narcotics,&#8221; said Mhlakuvana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He further said that acting upon corroborated and actionable intelligence, law enforcement operatives effected tactical interception of the suspect while in transit on a public roadway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mhlakuvana said that subsequently, a search and seizure warrant was executed at the suspect&#8217;s residence in Middelburg township.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;A search operation resulted in the discovery and confiscation of 16 small pockets of crystal methamphetamine, approximately 50 grams of Tik with an estimated street value of R8,100, 100 Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R8,000, a scale, pockets of cannabis, as well as an undisclosed sum of cash, inclusive of officially entrapped funds,&#8221; said Mhlakuvana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He further said that the seized cash remains subject to ongoing investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/alleged-drug-kingpins-denied-bail-after-hawks-dismantle-nxuba-trafficking-syndicate\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/alleged-drug-kingpins-denied-bail-after-hawks-dismantle-nxuba-trafficking-syndicate\/\">Alleged drug kingpins denied bail after Hawks dismantle Nxuba trafficking syndicate<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A former SANDF soldier was arrested on 9 April following an intelligence-led multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation in 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