Police in Limpopo arrest 21 suspects for drug trafficking

The operation, conducted in the early hours of Thursday, lead to the arrest of 21 suspects, aged between 21 and 52, for various crimes.

The first arrest was in the Sekhukhune District where the K9 Unit raided an unoccupied municipal premises in Marble Hall and the local taxi rank, leading to the arrest of nine suspects.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, in the Office of the Provincial Commissioner, says the suspects were charged with offenses such as possession and dealing in drugs, possession of dangerous weapons, the contravention of the Immigration Act and for illegal gambling.

In the second case, five suspects, aged between 27 and 47, were arrested for possession of-  and dealing in drugs.

“The suspects were found in possession of Nyaope, crystal meth and dagga, with an estimated street value exceeding R17 000,00. Additionally, one suspect was charged with the possession of a dangerous weapon after being found with a knife,” Ledwaba explained. 

According to him, three other suspects aged 32 and 40, were arrested for illegal immigration and illegal gambling and were issued fines.

“During a foot patrol at the Marble Hall taxi rank, packets of Remington Gold illicit cigarettes, valued at over R300, were confiscated,” Ledwaba said. 

“In the Mopani District, a stop-and-search operation around the Tzaneen Industrial area resulted in the arrest of six illegal foreign nationals, aged between 29 and 52. The Waterberg Task Team proceeded to the Marulaneng Tinmine policing area, where two foreign nationals, aged 26 and 27, were arrested for selling expired food.”

Ledwaba says the last arrest was by the Vhembe Task Team, where four illegal immigrants, aged between 21 and 39 were arrested.

Some of the suspects have appeared before the respective Magistrate’s Courts.

“Limpopo Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the arrests and commended the team for their tireless efforts and teamwork, which led to the successful apprehension of the suspects,” Ledwaba concluded.

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