The South African Police Service may have uncovered an illegal mining and drug operations following a surprise hostel raid on Wednesday morning.
Captain Nicolas Aldrich of Springs Police Station and his team, in a joint operation with a Tactical Response Team and the Flying Squad, stormed into Grootvlei Mine Hostel around 10am.
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In the organised search, officers recovered digging tools that are believed to be used for illegal mining.
Among the items recovered were nine pairs of gumboots, five gloves, three helmets and buckets full of soil.
“We made one arrest, and the suspect – who is about 25 years old – will be charged with illegal mining,” says Aldrich.
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The dilapidated hostel was condemned as being unfit for human habitation after the Aurora liquidation at the abandoned Grootvlei gold mine, which ceased operations in 2011.
The team also discovered 120 dagga plants which were confiscated.
Aldrich says he is certain that they will uncover more as the investigation continues.
