By Rorisang Rampheteng
Integrated law-enforcement teams continued to assert the authority of the state across the Free State this week, with a series of drug and firearm arrests carried out under Operation Shanela II.
The province-wide operations targeted drug trafficking, illegal firearms and organised crime, leading to multiple arrests and significant seizures in towns including Ficksburg, Phuthaditjhaba, Bloemfontein, Welkom and Qwaqwa.
Dagga and Nyaope bust in Ficksburg
In Ficksburg, members of the Visible Policing Unit arrested two suspects during a stop-and-search operation in Meqheleng Zone 2. Police pulled over a light green Toyota Corolla and discovered four blue plastic-wrapped parcels of dagga weighing 2.17kg.
In a separate operation, the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit arrested a 32-year-old man from Johannesburg who was allegedly transporting Nyaope to Ficksburg. The drugs seized are estimated to have a street value of R200 000.
CAT, crystal meth and stolen phones recovered
The Anti-Gang Unit also arrested a 37-year-old foreign national found in possession of large quantities of CAT and crystal meth, with an estimated street value of R110 000. Eleven suspected stolen cellphones were also confiscated.
In Wesselsbron, Welkom Public Order Police arrested a 42-year-old woman in Monyakeng for dealing in Mandrax and Tik.
Multiple drug-related arrests in Phuthaditjhaba
Police operations continued in Phuthaditjhaba, where two suspects were arrested for possession of and dealing in drugs.
The first suspect, a 33-year-old man, was found with a large quantity of cocaine, commonly known as “rock”, as well as cash believed to be proceeds of drug sales. The second suspect, aged 34, was arrested at a local shopping complex with crystal meth and Nyaope.
Drug peddler caught in Bloemfontein, firearms seized in Heilbron and Qwaqwa
In Bloemfontein’s central business district, a 22-year-old man was arrested after police found him selling various drugs from a supermarket till. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of R150 000.
In Heilbron, the Provincial Anti-Hijacking Unit acted on intelligence in Phiritona, where officers seized a .38 Special Taurus revolver, eight suspected stolen cellphones and crystal meth worth an estimated R100 000. Two suspects, aged 18 and 3,5 were arrested.
In Qwaqwa, a 24-year-old man was arrested in Hlatseng Village after police recovered a 9mm pistol with an empty magazine during a search at his home.
Arrests linked to double murder in Mangaung
Five foreign nationals were also arrested in connection with a double murder in Namibia Square, Mangaung. The arrests were carried out by the Provincial Track and Trace Team and the Parkweg Tactical Response Team, working with community safety structures.
A 9mm pistol and a magazine loaded with six rounds were seized during the operation.
Big seizures under Operation Shanela II
In total, during the week-long operations, police confiscated five illegal firearms, 12.37kg of dagga, 266.54g of Tik, 81g of Nyaope, 10.41g of cocaine, 20.33g of Mandrax powder and 69 Mandrax tablets.
Authorities say Operation Shanela II will continue, as integrated policing teams intensify efforts to remove drugs and illegal firearms from communities across the Free State. – @NewsSA_Online
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