Four suspects arrested in Bloem with dagga worth R1.5 million

Police have arrested four suspects for possession of dagga with an estimated street value of R1.5 million. Fifty-thousand rand in cash was also found.

Police say they acted on intelligence information about a drug supplier operating from flats in Brandwag in Bloemfontein.  They say this is one of the successful operations to combat the illegal drug trade targeting young people.

The dagga was rolled into joints and packaged in different sized plastic bags. Police say this kind of packaging is used to target students and young people in the area.

Dagga, cash, a speed point payment facility and weighing scales, allegedly indicate a well-run illegal operation.

“It’s one of the biggest drug bust we have in this area of Mangaung because we have been dealing with direct peddlers especially around UFS where the complaint was that they sell these drugs to the students at the university. We had our network operation and the information was spot on …. and five suspects have been arrested,” says Free State Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.

#sapsFS Four suspects aged between 20 and 41 were arrested during the early hours of today. The suspects were caught in the act preparing and packaging dagga intended to be distributed for peddling at different identified schools in Harris Street and Victoria Rd, Willows and… pic.twitter.com/bNewU84BIf

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 14, 2024

The Free State government says no stone will be left unturned to fight crime.

“Public safety is very important and things like this disturb the wellbeing and the safety of our communities. From what you can see, how these things are packaged, you can see that there’s a specific market that is targeted, and police are following all leads. But it is suspected that this was targeting university students and high school learners,” says Free State MEC for Community Safety Jabu Mbalula.

Mbalula says the laws of the country have to be observed and respected. He says transgressors who destroy the future of young people, should face the consequences.

A case of dealing in drugs was opened at the Park Road Police Station.

The suspects will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon.