R15m worth of drugs, seven arrested in Sandton sting

Friday, February 27, 2015

Pretoria - Seven suspects have been arrested in Sandton, Johannesburg, for allegedly dealing drugs worth R15 million, the Hawks said on Friday.

Police found 42kg of Crystal Methamphetamine, commonly known as Tik, in one of the rooms of a hotel in Sandton.

“[A] swift investigation led to the arrest of four Nigerian nationals, one local male and two females. One suspect was found with a further 14kg of Tik in his vehicle,” spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said on Friday.  

One vehicle was also seized. 

The suspects, aged between 30 and 51, will appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Illegal gold dealers nabbed

Meanwhile, in another intelligence-driven operation involving members of the Hawks and Crime Intelligence, three suspects were arrested for allegedly dealing in precious metal in Brakpan.

Police investigators received information of an alleged illegal gold transaction to be concluded at a security complex in Brakpan.

“A 36-year-old suspect was caught processing gold. A further follow-up investigation led to the arrest of two Zimbabwean nationals, also aged 36, in Morningside Johannesburg,” Mulaudzi said.

Police seized unprocessed precious metals worth more than R4 million and two luxury vehicles.

Further investigations are on-going to determine if the three suspects were part of a bigger syndicate dealing in precious metals.

The Hawks Acting Head Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza said the operation should send a strong warning to syndicate leaders in the gold smuggling trade - that they are being closely monitored and police will soon also arrest them.

"We will not allow criminals to go unchallenged. We are indeed winning the fight against crime," he said.

Ntlemeza thanked all members involved in the raid, including members from Crime Intelligence for the groundwork they did.

The importance of such operations, Ntlemeza said, will serve as a deterrent to crime. "Anyone wanting to do the same thing tomorrow will now think twice." 

The three suspects will appear in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Monday. - SAnews.gov.za