{"id":43582,"date":"2025-03-06T09:02:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T07:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/hawks-nab-suspected-drug-mule-at-east-london-bus-depot-20250304\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T11:24:20","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T09:24:20","slug":"hawks-nab-suspected-drug-mule-at-east-london-bus-depot-20250304","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/hawks-nab-suspected-drug-mule-at-east-london-bus-depot-20250304\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks nab suspected drug mule at East London bus depot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A SUSPECT (26) has been arrested by the East London-based South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) of the Hawks after being caught in possession of allegedly 6,000 ecstasy tablets with an estimated street value of R720,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An intelligence-driven operation was launched after a tip-off was received on Friday, 28th February 2025, alerting authorities to a suspect allegedly transporting drugs from Durban to Cape Town via a long-distance bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Hawks spokesperson, Lt. Col. Avele Fumba, \u201cthe Hawks swiftly mobilised and monitored the suspect\u2019s movements as the bus made its way to East London.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reports indicate that at about 10:00 on 1st March 2025, the bus arrived at the Windmill depot in East London, where passengers disembarked for a short break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hawks operatives maintained surveillance, waiting for the suspect to reboard before making their move. Upon searching the suspect\u2019s bag, the police discovered a suspicious brown package, which was later confirmed to allegedly contain thousands of ecstasy tablets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The suspect was arrested and was set to appear in the East London Magistrates\u2019 Court on 3rd March 2025, facing charges related to drug trafficking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Provincial Head of the Hawks praised the team for their vigilance and commitment to dismantling drug syndicates and ensuring that drug traffickers face the full might of the law.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A SUSPECT (26) has been arrested by the East London-based South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) of the Hawks after being caught in possession of allegedly 6,000 ecstasy tablets with an estimated street value of 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