Tip-off leads to drug bust at a Polokwane residence
With the recent influx of drug syndicates in the city, residents have become more aware of the fact that their suburbs and communities are no longer as safe as they thought they were.
POLOKWANE – Following up on a tip-off, the Hawks managed to nab a Nigerian man suspected of selling drugs in the city on Wednesday.
Limpopo hawks Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Maluleke, told Review that after the Hawks team raided a flat in the city, they confiscated drugs with a street value of R20 000 along with R35 000 cash.
“A 26-year-old Nigerian national was arrested during the raid. The suspect’s apartment was searched and 31 pieces of rock, 17 pieces of half moon were found. We are continuing our investigations which might lead to further arrests,” he said.
The man will appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court later this week.
Review recently visited several intersections in the city with the assistance of an undercover police officer and a local police informant and convicted drug dealer after recent reports about drug syndicates making use of street vendors to sell their wares.
The officer, who worked with Review on condition of anonymity, said busy intersections are fast becoming a shopping spot for a “different kind of customer”.
Hawkers at various intersections in the city proved to be quite familiar with the terminology used by customers who want to buy something other than their usual wares.
By asking the right questions and using the right terminology, illegal substances such as dagga, nyaope and khat are easily obtained. These hawkers do not discriminate against younger buyers.
“We urge residents to contact the police stations or the crime hotline on 0800 701701 with information relating to drugs or suspected drug dealers. We remind residents that the use of drugs are both harmful to their health and illegal. Residents are urged to work together with the authorities to stop drug dealers in their tracks to keep their community safe and free of the problems drugs bring into a community,” Maluleke concluded.
Read more about the street hawkers dealing drugs in Review Weekend.
