SAPS commended for drug busts
The SAPS was commended on recent drug busts in Malvern.
The EXPRESS previously reported that police officers discovered several packets of dagga in Malvern. According to Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer, police officers from the dog unit received information from community members about a man who was selling dagga at a house in St Frusquin Street.
When the police officers went to the address provided, they found a man selling snacks and sweets. A total of 24 packets of dagga were found underneath a table during a search.
Days later, the Johannesburg Organised Crime Unit also arrested two people for possession of drugs in the same suburb.
Constable Mashakane said the police officers were patrolling Malvern when they saw two men acting suspiciously.
The men were seen exchanging money and what was believed to be drugs.
The police officers stopped and searched the men and a packet of cocaine was found in one man’s possession.
The police officers went to the suspect’s house in Heriot Street where more drugs were found during a search.
Mr Mike Spadino, a Malvern resident, said, “Well done to the SAPS on the drug busts. We need more drug busts like these. It is also great to see that information passed on by the community to police officers is being followed up. I hope that the plan to target drug lords announced by the minster of police recently will also be used in the Cleveland SAPS precinct. Drug lords walk around the area as if they own it,” he said.
Mr Spadino has been calling for action in Malvern against drug dealers for several years.
The EXPRESS has on numerous occasions published articles on Mr Spadino’s concerns about drug dealing, problems outside liquor outlets and other illegal activities in Malvern.
He identified the area between 27th and 37th streets, St Frusquin, Persimmon and St Amant streets as being problematic.
He previously stated that he was concerned drug dealing would lead to a drug war and residents taking the law into their own hands.
Last week he urged the community to get involved in the Cleveland Community Police Forum to help combat crime.
“I also want to say thanks to the liquor officer, Warrant Officer Soldaart, at the Cleveland SAPS for the excellent job he is doing with regard to problems I have reported to him. He acts on them immediately and gives me feedback. Keep up the good work,” he said.
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