On Now
Weekends 00:00 - 05:00
Early Mornings Oscar
NEXT: 05:00 - 06:00 Opstaan with Anny
Listen Live Streams

South Africa

Teenager arrested with drugs worth over R600K

───   05:55 Sun, 16 Feb 2020

Teenager arrested with drugs worth over R600K | News Article

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after he was found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and a large quantity of drugs worth over R600,000 at a house in Bethelsdorp in Port Elizabeth, the police in the Eastern Cape said on Saturday.


Increased illicit drug use was one of the main contributors to violent crime, and every effort had to be made to cripple and close down the illegal drug trade, Colonel Priscilla Naidu said in a statement.

SAPS anti-gang unit officers acted on information received and executed a search warrant at a house in Barberry Drive, Extention 31 in Bethelsdorp at about 10.45am on Friday. The unit, together with the (SAPS) tactical response team (TRT) and public order policing (POP), searched the house inside and outside and recovered 11,604 Mandrax tablets.

The officers also seized 1397.5 grams of tik (crystal methamphetamine) and 7844.4 grams of dagga. The sealed packets of Mandrax tablets were found inside the house and hidden in strategic places in the yard.

The total value of the drugs seized was R623,521. Two firearms - a 9mm pistol and a shotgun - were found in a bag in a bedroom in the house. The shotgun was reported stolen in Ikamvelihle in August 2016, while the serial number of the 9mm pistol has been filed off. Over R31,670 in cash, three scales, a cellphone, record books, and ammunition were also confiscated.

The suspect would appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Naidu said.

Eastern Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen. Liziwe Ntshinga welcomed the successful drug bust, saying the illegal possession of firearms and drugs was of growing concern and it was a fact that participation in the drug markets was known to be linked to gangs.

"We cannot, and will not stand back and allow our neighbourhoods to be controlled by violent thugs. We will not cede one street or corner to these illicit traders. While we appreciate the information from the law-abiding citizens on criminal activities in their neighbourhoods, we urge the communities to stand together with the police in our efforts to create a safe and secure environment for all," Ntshinga said.


African News Agency (ANA)

@ 2024 OFM - All rights reserved Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | We Use Cookies - OFM is a division of Central Media Group (PTY) LTD.