UPDATE: Hawks, SAPS seized millions of rands worth of drugs in Dobsonville
Dobsonville is trending following yesterday #DrugBust by the SAPS & Hawks
It is clear that yesterday’s #DrugBust in Dobsonville (Soweto) was a huge success as evidenced by the responses on Twitter. The African National Congress tweeted a ‘congratulations’ message to the entire squad which headed the operation.
A statement issued by the police ministry’s office read, “Members of the South African Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) searched a house in Dobsonville used as a clandestine laboratory linked to drugs supplied to the Western Cape.”
See full statement below:
ANC CONGRATULATES SAPS FOLLOWING A DRUG BUST IN SOWETO pic.twitter.com/dlOjSCz2RV
— African National Congress (@MYANC) July 26, 2017
Minister of police, Fikile Mbalula commended the South African Police Service, Gauteng Hawks and Cape Town Crime Intelligence for responding to this episode swiftly and also arresting a 25-year-old suspect and detaining two females who were at the house when it was raided.
According to the Sunday Times, law officers seized mandrax weighing over 330 kilograms. The site also stated that the trio were taken to the Dobsonville Police Station for questioning.
#sapsHQ #Hawks seized millions of rands worth of drugs in Soweto on 25/07 in major #DrugBust. #DrugsOffTheStreets MEhttps://t.co/K0rQDihpGw pic.twitter.com/Cp6SyoE8OJ
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 26, 2017
Vincent Thuli street in Dobsonville – Soweto is on a lock down ahead of Minister Mbalula's arrival #Drugbust pic.twitter.com/5V9bUFCBwE
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) July 25, 2017
NB:Â Below follows an official statement from SAPS about the drug bust:
Hawks seize millions of rands worth of drugs in Soweto
The Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata has hailed the dismantling of a clandestine drug laboratory in Dobsonville, Soweto, and the arrest of a 25 year old suspect as a significant victory on the availability and selling of drugs in the area.
A multi-disciplinary operation between the Western Cape Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) and Crime Intelligence pounced unannounced on Tuesday and to close down a multi-million illicit drug manufacturing laboratory loaded with drug manufacturing chemicals and related equipment.
The criminal operation was under the Hawks radar for over a month after it was found that the mandrax drugs that were being manufactured were allegedly becoming a menace in the Western Cape and other parts of the country.
Members swooped the house in Dobsonville and arrested a suspect. The team continued to Orlando East whereby a large quantity of mandrax tablets were found hidden inside the boot of a car packed and ready for circulation. Two suspects were immediately arrested, however after detailed interviews they were released as they were not linked to the drugs.
Acting National Head, Lieutenant General Matakata applauded the co-operation demonstrated by the Hawks and Crime Intelligence members in fighting serious organised crime in the country.
“We will continue to punch holes in the criminal underworld. Our collaboration with the other law enforcement agencies is yielding good results and this will undoubtedly send a profound message to organised crime syndicates that we are serious to face them head on. We were not mincing our words when we committed to turn the tide, these are the results and we mean business.
“I salute our members who worked in the belly of the enemy at all times in the danger of life, may their good work lead to other successful operations in the country”, General Matakata added.
Meanwhile, the suspect will appear at the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on Thursday, 27 July 2017. Investigations continue and more arrests cannot be ruled out. The correct value of the drugs and chemicals seized during operation will be determined later. #DrugBust#DrugsOffTheStreets #SaferCommunities
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