Bloemfontein: Operation Shanela II has led to the arrest of several suspects in the Free State for various offences, including possession of unlicensed firearms and drugs. The police revealed in a statement that these arrests occurred during the past week's planned operations conducted by the Visible Policing Unit in Ficksburg.
According to South African Government News Agency, two suspects were apprehended in Ficksburg during a stop-and-search activity. The police stopped a light green Toyota Corolla in Meqheleng Zone 2 and discovered four blue plastic parcels containing dagga weighing 2.17kg. Additionally, the provincial Anti-Gang Unit, acting on intelligence, arrested a 32-year-old male from Johannesburg transporting Nyaope valued at an estimated R200,000 to Ficksburg.
A 37-year-old foreign national was detained by the provincial Anti-Gang Unit for possessing large quantities of Cat and Chrystal Meth, with an estimated street value of R110,000. The police also confiscated 11 presumably stolen cellphones. In another operation, the Welkom Public Order Policing Unit nabbed a 42-year-old female for dealing in Mandrax and Tik in Monyakeng, Wesselsbron.
Two individuals faced arrest in Phuthaditjhaba for possession and dealing in drugs. The Welkom Anti-Gang Unit captured a 33-year-old male with a significant amount of 'rock', or cocaine, along with cash suspected to be from drug sales. A second suspect, aged 34, was arrested at a local shopping complex, resulting in the seizure of Chrystal Meth and Nyaope.
In the Bloemfontein Central Business District, a 22-year-old drug peddler was caught selling various drugs from a supermarket till. The drugs, valued at approximately R150,000, were seized, and the suspect was promptly arrested by the provincial Anti-Gang Unit.
Intelligence operations in Phiritona, Heilbron, led to the recovery of a .38 Special Taurus Revolver, eight allegedly stolen cellphones, and Chrystal Meth worth an estimated R100,000. Two suspects, aged 18 and 35, were arrested on the spot. Meanwhile, in Hlatseng Village, Qwaqwa, a 24-year-old male was apprehended by the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit after a search at his residence revealed a 9mm calibre black pistol with an empty magazine.
In another significant incident, five foreign nationals were arrested in connection with a double murder in Namibia Square, Mangaung. This joint operation involved the Provincial Track and Trace team, Parkweg Tactical Response Team, and various community safety structures. A 9mm calibre black pistol and a magazine loaded with six rounds were seized.
The operations led to the seizure of five handguns. Confiscated drugs included 266.54g of Tik, 81g of Nyaope, 10.41g of Cocaine, 12.37kg of dagga, 20.33g of Mandrax powder, and 69 Mandrax tablets.