GQEBERHA – Three men have appeared in court following a coordinated Hawks and Anti-Gang Unit operation targeting the alleged illegal dealing of scheduled pharmaceutical substances, drugs and cannabis in Gqeberha and Kariega.

Jamaine Abrahams (30), Dimitri Alexander (40) and Morgan Olwagen (30) were arrested during an operation conducted on Wednesday, 19 August, by the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, National Priority Violent Crime and Economic Protected Resources units attached to the Gqeberha Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, together with the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit Combat Team.

According to the Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the arrests followed an investigation that had been under way since September last year.

“The investigation dates back to 7 September 2025, when a controlled test-purchase operation was conducted. Further test purchases and verification operations were subsequently carried out to establish the credibility of the information received,” Mhlakuvana said.

The operation culminated in the coordinated takedown of three premises in Algoa Park and Kariega.

At about 06:00, the operational team searched two premises in Algoa Park, where Abrahams and Alexander were arrested.

Police allegedly seized 5,000 Purata tablets used to treat alcohol withdrawal and anxiety, contained in 50 bottles, 500 g of suspected cannabis, an undisclosed amount of cash, three scales and four cellular telephones.

According to Mhlakuvana, the operation was then extended to a homestead in Kariega, where Olwagen was arrested. Police allege that he was the leader of the syndicate.

“During the search of the Kariega premises, police seized one bottle of Purata tablets, one bottle of Mylan Alprazolam 1mg, one bottle of Mylan Alprazolam 0.5mg, 44 Stilpane tablets and one cellular telephone,” he said.

Mhlakuvana added that the suspects were charged with contraventions of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, including the alleged unlawful possession and dealing in scheduled substances, as well as charges relating to dealing in cannabis.

The three accused appeared before the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court and Gqeberha New Law Court on Thursday, 20 August.

The cases against Abrahams and Alexander were postponed to 27 August for formal bail proceedings.

Olwagen was released on R1,000 bail, and his case was postponed to 12 November for further investigation.

Mhlakuvana confirmed that the Hawks’ investigation is continuing, and further arrests and charges have not been ruled out.

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