In a significant victory for law enforcement, a 35-year-old man from Gauteng is now in police custody following a drug bust that has been described as one of the largest in recent months.
The operation resulted in the seizure of crystal meth estimated at a staggering R50 million, highlighting the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in South Africa.
The arrest occurred during a meticulously coordinated interprovincial police operation that involved several key provinces, including the Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.
The operation was spearheaded by members of the Aliwal North Detectives and Crime Intelligence (CI) team, who acted on vital intelligence regarding a suspicious truck suspected of transporting illegal substances.
Captain Loraine Earle, a spokesperson for the police, detailed the sequence of events leading up to the arrest in the Eastern Cape.
“Members of the Aliwal North Detectives and Crime Intelligence were conducting a tracing operation when they received information about a truck travelling from Smithfield to Aliwal North, suspected of transporting drugs,” she said.
She said the truck was stopped at the Aliwal North bridge around 10.30am and escorted into town for a thorough inspection.
Police then summoned the K9 Unit and Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) to assist with the search.
"A detailed search of the truck led to the discovery of 12 large bags of crystal meth, weighing a total of 313.5 kg, with an estimated street value of R50 million," said Earle.
The man, who was the owner of the truck, was immediately arrested at the scene.
The truck was also seized as part of the operation.
The man is expected to appear in the Aliwal North Magistrate’s Court on charges related to drug trafficking.
IOL News