PRETORIA – A concerted effort by the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), US’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Crime Intelligence resulted in four suspects being arrested in Gauteng and North West provinces this morning.

The meticulously planned sting operation that was aimed at disrupting the lethal global narcotics trade took place in the Modderfontein and Buffelshoek policing precincts respectively and netted four foreign nationals aged between 38 and 54.

The group is believed to have been involved in a transnational drug enterprise in the USA, Mozambique and the Republic of South Africa. They have been on the radar of the authorities for a while. They have since been charged in terms of dealing in narcotics in terms of the drug trafficking Act – 140/1992.

About 60 kg of Chrystal Meth with a street value of about R7million was recovered from the syndicate. Analysis between the local Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and their US counterparts are underway following which an extradition arrangement to the USA may be explored.

The foursome is expected to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 03 January 2022.

“As provided by the SAPS Act, as amended Section 17(e) a multi-disciplinary approach and integrated methodology by committed local and international stakeholders resulted in this progressive achievement. More so following the recently conducted Transnational Organised Crime Conference where implacable tactics to fight and win the war against transnational organised crime against drug trafficking was discussed. Through such concerted efforts we shall continue the onslaught against drug trafficking organizations”, said acting National Head, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili.

Source: South African Police Service