Gauteng police together with LeadSA’s Drug Watch Campaign have vowed to blow the whistle on drug dealers and manufacturers in the province.
The campaign, which was first launched in 2013, was re-launched at the Alexandra Police Station where police promised to go all out to arrest these criminals.
More than 276 suspects were arrested in Gauteng for drug-related crimes last year and 35 drug laboratories were closed down.
The re-launched was also part of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Traffic, which serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by member states of creating a drug abuse free international society.
Watch: Yusuf Abramjee the head of Crime Line sending a strong message to drug dealers
Yusuf Abramjee, the head of Crime Line urged civil society to assist the police in bringing drug dealers to book as police could not fight this scourge alone.
Ambramjee said ,”Gauteng is taking the lead. The Drug Watch Campaign is going to clean the streets of Gauteng. We want Gauteng and the whole of South Africa to run dry of drugs for a very very long time. We are also delighted that the police have partnered with us for this initiative.”
Alexandra Cluster Commander Zodwa Molefe said, “We are counting on all communities to achieve and combat the drugs trade. I call on the media, government and civil society to do everything possible to raise awareness and help prevent the spread of drugs.”
LISTEN: Zodwa Molefe of Alexandra police speaking during the re-launch of drug watch:
https://soundcloud.com/user528046609/molefe1
A strong plea was also sent to the courts to make sure that they did not let drug dealers off the hook and that they handed down harsher sentences. “Poor conviction rates in drug-related crimes are one of the issues hampering efforts to clamp down on drug dealing,” said Abramjee.
He added that someone, somewhere knew who the drug dealers were in their communities and said anyone with information could send their tip-offs to 32211 or call 0860010111.
