Staff Reporter.
SA Police Services (SAPS) have arrested two men, including a Russian national, in Stilbaai, Western Cape, and seized drugs valued at R252 million.
Acting on information received about suspicious activities taking place at the local harbour, police officers spotted a Toyota Pajero with a rubber duck boat on the trailer – a match fitting the given description.
According to police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies, the vehicle sped off and a chase ensued. Despite the vehicle being brought to a halt, the suspects then got out and fled into the bushes.
“Their freedom was short-lived when [the] two men were tracked down and apprehended at a local accommodation establishment, “said Spies. “Upon searching the rubber duck boat boat, the police found 14 bags containing 400 bricks of cocaine.”
The drugs, vehicle and rubber duck boat were seized.
“The suspects, a 48-year-old man from Gauteng and a 39-year-old Russian national, are facing a charge of dealing in drugs,” added Spies. “They remain in police custody and will appear in court once charged.”
An investigation into the confiscated drugs is underway and the matter was transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) for further investigation.
In a separate incident, Hawks swooped in on a clandestine “drug lab” in Limpopo and confiscated chemicals used to make illicit drugs with an estimated street value of more than R2 billion.
National Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the “multi-million [rand] clandestine laboratory was discovered” on a farm in Groblersdal.
The Hawks, along with local police, held an intelligence-driven operation on Friday in which they confiscated the materials.
“The Hawks in Limpopo received information about suspicious activities taking place at the farm, which was then operationalised, and the multi-disciplinary team pounced. Four structures on the property were searched, and large quantities of chemicals used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs were found,” said Mogale.
She added that four people had been arrested during the operation, including the farm owner.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.