Pretoria drug bust – Crystal meth and heroin confiscated, suspect arrested following community tip-off.
A major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking was made over the weekend in Pretoria West, where police discovered 295 brown-wrapped plastic bags containing heroin hidden above a geyser. The Pretoria drug bust led to the swift arrest of a suspected drug dealer.
Police Act on Community Tip-Off
Tshwane District Police spokesperson, Captain Johan van Dyk, reported that Pretoria West police acted on credible information received from concerned community members. The tip-off indicated suspicious drug dealings by an individual operating from an address on Church Street.
“After verifying the information, officers proceeded to the specified location and placed the premises under surveillance,” said Van Dyk. “Once the suspect was seen leaving the property, officers tactically moved in, apprehended him, and conducted a thorough search of the premises.”
Pretoria Drug Bust: Hidden Drugs Discovered
The search revealed five clear plastic bags of crystal meth and 295 brown-wrapped bags of heroin concealed on top of a geyser inside the suspect’s room.
The Pretoria drug bust resulted in the suspect being promptly arrested and charged with possession and dealing in drugs. He is expected to appear in court shortly.
Tshwane District Police Major-General Samuel Thine praised the officers for their commitment and emphasized the critical role of community collaboration in tackling drug-related crimes.
Operation Shanela: Crime Crackdown
The heroin bust formed part of the larger Operation Shanela, a multi-agency crime-combatting initiative across the Tshwane District. During the operation over the long weekend:
- 366 suspects were arrested for various crimes.
- 259 arrests were made for serious offences, including:
- 74 for gender-based violence
- 34 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
- 3 for attempted murder
- 4 for house robbery
- 1 for rape
- 32 undocumented individuals were detained pending deportation proceedings.
Alcohol-Related Offences and Vehicle Recoveries
Further successes during the operation included:
- Searches conducted on 980 individuals and 520 vehicles.
- Recovery of a stolen motor vehicle and impoundment of another for investigation.
- 22 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.
- 39 individuals fined for drinking in public.
- Inspection of 20 liquor establishments, resulting in 7 closures for non-compliance with the Liquor Act.
- Confiscation of 201,970 millilitres of liquor.
Additionally, police arrested three individuals for possession of illicit cigarettes after 1,960 loose cigarettes were found.
Nationwide Impact: Operation Shanela Results
National Police Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi highlighted the nationwide impact of Operation Shanela. Over the past week, law enforcement arrested 15,871 suspects, including 2,327 wanted individuals linked to serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, and robberies.
In addition to the arrests made during the pretoria drug bust, police confiscated 119 firearms and 1,243 rounds of ammunition, showcasing their resolve to rid communities of illegal weapons and combat violent crime.
Community Vigilance Key to Success
Captain Johan van Dyk urged residents to continue providing information to law enforcement, emphasizing that community vigilance remains essential to dismantling drug networks and improving public safety. The success of the Pretoria drug bust underscores the importance of police and community partnerships.
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