A foreign national was arrested following a dramatic high-speed chase through Wolseley on Monday 29 December after police discovered him in possession of drugs worth hundreds of thousands of rands.
The arrest took place when the Wolseley police responded to information received about a suspected drug trafficker operating in the area.
According to police reports, the suspect was driving through Wolseley when officers attempted to pull him over. Instead of stopping, the driver accelerated and led police on a high-speed pursuit that ended in the Pine Valley area.
“When our officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver immediately sped off, which raised our suspicions even further,” said Sergeant Wesley Twigg, police spokesperson. “This kind of reaction usually indicates that someone has something to hide.”
The chase came to an end when the suspect abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot into the informal settlements of Pine Valley, with police officers in hot pursuit.
Suspect ran between informal dwellings
“The suspect jumped out of his vehicle and ran between the informal dwellings, but we were determined not to let him escape,” Twigg explained. “After a brief chase they apprehended him.”
During a search of the suspect, police discovered a container of crystal methamphetamine and a bag containing mandrax tablets. The total haul included 1 007 mandrax tablets and 1 047g of crystal meth.
“This is a significant find for our ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the Wolseley area,” Twigg said. “The street value of these drugs would have been substantial, and we’ve prevented them from reaching our communities.”
The adult male suspect will face drug possession charges in the Wolseley Magistrates’ Court.
Twigg highlighted the importance of community cooperation in the fight against drugs. “We rely heavily on information from the public, and this successful operation shows what we can achieve when the community works with us.”
The arrest forms part of ongoing police efforts to eradicate drug distribution networks operating in the Wolseley policing precinct.
Anyone with information about drug-related activities is encouraged to contact the Wolseley SAPS or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
