Five suspects — including a 58-year-old woman and four men aged between 48 and 60 — were arrested on Wednesday, 2 July, for the possession and dealing of drugs with an estimated street value of R700,000.
According to SAPS spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, members of the Maitland Flying Squad acted on a tip-off regarding suspected drug activity at a fast-food establishment in Belgravia, Athlone.
“Upon their arrival at the mentioned address, they found three vehicles including a white Mercedes Benz, a white Renault and a white Hyundai in the parking area. The members observed the occupants and noticed that the one suspect took a black bag out of the one vehicle putting it into his vehicle. They immediately approached the vehicles and two of the suspects attempted to walk away but were apprehended,” said Van Wyk.
A search of the vehicles led to the discovery of 3,000 mandrax tablets in one of the vehicles, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash — believed to be proceeds from drug sales — in another.
Further investigations led officers to a property in Crawford, where an additional 13,000 mandrax tablets and Schedule One medication were seized.
“The drugs and three vehicles were handed in as exhibits at Athlone SAPS. Their cellular telephones were taken in for processing and further investigation,” Van Wyk added.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court soon on charges related to drug possession and dealing.
VOC News
Photo: Supplied
