Gauteng police have arrested two suspects, aged 52 and 53, at a property in Noordheuwel, Krugersdorp, after they were found in possession of drugs with an estimated combined street value of over R1.7 million.
The two were arrested on Sunday, March 15, by the members of the Gauteng Highway Patrol during an intelligence-driven operation.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the police received a tip-off about drugs allegedly being kept at a certain premises in Noordheuwel.
She said acting on the information, members went to the identified address and were granted a permission to conduct a search.
“During the search, police inspected a vehicle parked at the premises and discovered a bag containing drugs with an estimated street value of approximately R900 000.”
She said one suspect was immediately arrested.
Police conducted further searches inside the house and discovered a large quantity of drugs in one of the bedrooms.
“The drugs are estimated to have a street value of about R800 000, leading to the arrest of a second suspect.”
Sibeko said the seized drugs have an estimated combined street value of over R1.7 million.
Both men will appear before the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
One week ago, IOL News reported that drugs to the value of R2.8 million were confiscated at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), officers managed to intercept R2.2 million worth of crystal meth at a cargo warehouse at the airport on March 4.
It is believed the meth was destined for the Philippines.
The following day, eight large boxes containing marijuana worth R672,000 were found at another cargo warehouse at the airport. This stash was inbound, having been transported from Morocco for distribution in South Africa.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the drugs from both raids had been seized by police officers, but investigations were still underway to track down the traffickers involved.
This is believed to be the first major drug bust at OR Tambo this year.
In July 2025, a 25-year-old alleged drug trafficker was arrested at OR Tambo after arriving on a flight from Brazil.
During a search of her luggage, authorities discovered approximately 10kg of cocaine, valued at around R4.2 million. She was also taken for a medical examination to determine if she had swallowed cocaine-filled “bullets”.
A month earlier, a 39-year-old Brazilian man was also arrested at OR Tambo after landing from São Paulo. Cocaine worth R1.4 million was found wrapped around his thighs while he was in transit to Benin, West Africa.
IOL News
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
