Tebogo Msimanga |
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in collaboration with the National Intervention Unit (NIU), the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Stilfontein Dog Unit, Potchefstroom Drug Task Team, Ekurhuleni District Task Team and Bad Boyz Security arrested five suspects aged between 30 and 51 on Wednesday 13 September 2023, for alleged dealing in drugs.
North West Hawks Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the arrests were made during a takedown operation, which was conducted in the North West and Gauteng provinces. “Information was received about a syndicate alleged to be involved in the distribution and selling of illegal narcotics in the two provinces. The information was operationalised and the team pounced on the suspects at various identified houses”.
The Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, commended the team for conducting a well-coordinated operation that sought to dismantle a drug trafficking syndicate in the province.
All five suspects are facing charges of dealing in drugs to the estimated value of over R2 million. They are due to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 14 September 2023.
