Two arrested for being in possession of stolen medication

The medicine found in possession of the pair is believed to be valued at around R200 000.

And with only less than a month in office, the new chief of police of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Bafana Mahlabe, could not be happier, saying he is pleased with the breakthrough.

This success resulted from a special operation conducted in KwaThema, last Friday evening, spearheaded by Mahlabe.

It is believed the medicine was stolen from a government medicine depot.

“Information received by our officers, about the theft from the medical depot, the persons involved and the vehicles they used, proved accurate.

“And as a result, a man from Durban, driving a silver Ford Ranger without number plates and displaying an expired temporary permit, was arrested and a massive cargo of medicine was confiscated,” says the Mahlabe.

He adds that inside the vehicle, cash amounting to R18 000 was found stashed in various places.

“On realising that the metro police had information on his illegal activities, the man surrendered and confessed, leading police to the man allegedly supplying him with the stolen medicine.

“It further emerged that the alleged supplier is a driver based at a government medicine depot,” says Mahlabe.

After the arrest, the duo were detained at the KwaThema Police Station, where a docket of possession of suspected stolen goods was registered.

They appeared in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were denied bail.

Mahlabe emphasises that an in-depth investigation is being conducted to identify all the persons involved in this illegal trading of medicine.

He has warned that individuals and groups who are in the medical field and who buy stolen medicine will also be targeted.

Police expect to make more arrests in the near future.