Tag: drug bust

R310,000 Worth of Dagga Seized in Prince Albert Bus Operation

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
SAPS members in the Central Karoo have arrested a 50-year-old woman after dagga worth an estimated R310,000 was discovered aboard a passenger bus in Prince Albert.

The arrest followed a vehicle checkpoint conducted by the Central Karoo Flying Squad along Prince Albert Road at about 06:55 on Saturday, 8 August 2026.

Police stopped and searched a passenger bus, where they discovered a suitcase containing 38.70kg of dagga. The drugs were positively linked to the woman, who was arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs.

She is expected to appear in the Prince Albert Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

More than 660 litres of liquor seized

Meanwhile, police operations in the Garden Route District also resulted in the seizure of more than 660 litres of liquor from an unlicensed liquor outlet in De Rust.

Later on Saturday at about 21:10, Dysselsdorp police conducted a sting operation in Dahlia Street, Dysselsdorp, outside Oudtshoorn.

Officers confiscated 62 crates of beer and 20 containers filled with liquor. A 57-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly selling liquor without a licence. She is expected to appear in court once formally charged.

Police target illicit goods

SAPS says the strategic deployment of Flying Squad members along entry and exit routes into the region will continue as part of efforts to prevent illicit drugs and alcohol from entering the province.

The district commissioners commended police members for their vigilance in tackling drug- and alcohol-related offences and working to improve safety in the Central Karoo and Garden Route.

Over 15,700 Suspects Arrested in Nationwide SAPS Crime Crackdown

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
More than 15,700 suspects have been arrested during the latest nationwide Operation Shanela II crime-fighting campaign, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced.

Police said 15,798 suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted with other law enforcement agencies and government departments between 27 July and 2 August 2026.

Among those arrested were 329 alleged drug dealers and 3,242 people found in possession of illegal drugs.

A major breakthrough came on 31 July when police seized cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport. The shipment had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, and was intercepted by SAPS, Customs officials and Menzies Aviation personnel.

During the week-long operation, police also confiscated 153 illegal firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns. The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of handgun recoveries (29), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (27) and the Western Cape (23).

Officers also recovered 86 stolen or hijacked vehicles.

In Johannesburg's CBD, the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit led a multi-agency raid that uncovered counterfeit goods worth more than R5 million. Eight people were also arrested for immigration-related offences following on-site inspections by the Department of Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, a separate series of raids carried out by the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit between 27 and 30 July resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R27 million across Tshwane, Johannesburg, the West Rand and Sedibeng.

In the Eastern Cape, four suspects were arrested following an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Jeffreys Bay on 2 August.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Mthunzini High Court sentenced five convicted criminals to two life sentences plus an additional 100 years for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The convictions relate to a deadly robbery in KwaNongoma in November 2022.

In Mpumalanga, an intelligence-led operation by the Middelburg Flying Squad led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man and the recovery of a suspected stolen Toyota Hilux GD6 and stolen mining equipment.

In the North West, police arrested 27-year-old Lesotho national Thabiso Sholo Potsoko in connection with the Kanana tavern mass shooting, in which five people were killed and five others injured. The arrest followed a coordinated intelligence-driven operation involving several specialised police units.

In the Western Cape, Operation Prosper officers arrested two suspects during separate drug busts in crime hotspot areas. Police confiscated 139 mandrax tablets, 126 heroin straws and 61 packets of crystal meth from one suspect, while a second raid in Khayelitsha's New Monwabisi informal settlement uncovered additional crystal meth and mandrax tablets, leading to another arrest.

SAPS said the nationwide operations remain focused on removing dangerous criminals, illegal firearms, drugs and counterfeit goods from communities while strengthening public safety across South Africa.

SAPS Seizes R28 Million Cocaine Shipment at OR Tambo International Airport

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized 95kg of cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport in a major drug bust targeting international drug trafficking.

Police said the cocaine was intercepted on Friday during an intelligence-led operation after SAPS Crime Intelligence's Border Integrity Unit received information about a suspected drug shipment.

The operation involved SAPS Visible Policing officers at OR Tambo International Airport, Customs officials and Menzies Aviation staff.

The cocaine was found in cargo that arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, shortly after 1pm. Officers seized the 95kg shipment before it could leave the airport.

No arrests have been made, but police have launched an investigation to identify and arrest those behind the attempted drug smuggling operation.

SAPS said the successful operation highlights its ongoing efforts to combat organised crime, drug trafficking and cross-border smuggling. Police added that they will continue working with law enforcement partners to protect South Africa's borders and ports of entry from criminal exploitation.
error:
Scroll to Top