Hawks dismantle a narcotics warehouse, arrest three suspects

Three suspected drug dealers who were arrested by the Hawks at a storage facility in Magna Via on Friday appeared before Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing charges of dealing in drugs and possession of drugs.
The suspects who were identified by Hawks Provincial spokesperson Matimba Maluleke as Mogome Morale (29), Jerry Mabitsela (23) and Noku Phokubje (25) were remanded in custody until Wednesday for a formal bail application. Maluleke said the arrest followed an intelligence driven operation between the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation unit and crime intelligence conducted on the day.

Earlier Maluleke indicated that they had found 36 bags of dagga, nyaope and a drug called rock in the storage area and after searching the vehicle of one of the suspects, two more bags of nyaope were found.
He stated that the street value of the drugs was estimated to be at least R500 000. He added that they also found cash amounting to over R10 000 on the premises.
“We want to close all drugs taps in the province and we are confident that we will still arrest more suspects. We are delighted to have made such a discovery,” he explained.

Story & photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za