More boots on the ground on Friday, 1 September, led to the discovery of large amounts of dagga and Mandrax tablets, as well as the arrest of 14 illegal immigrants, during Operation Shanela in Ventersburg.
These successes were achieved during the a joint roadblock between Visible Policing members within the Lejweleputswa District, the Department of Home Affairs, Public Order Policing, the Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, the Welkom K9 Unit and the Provincial Traffic Department.
Brig. Envor Solomon of Thabong was the overall commander, while the operational commander was Capt. Francois Odendaal.
Subsequently 564 people were screened and 374 vehicles searched. Six traffic related fines were issued.
In addition, 14 illegal immigrants were arrested, as well as two suspects for the possession of 1 600 Mandrax tablets, and dagga weighing 8 916 kg.
In a separate arrest on 31 August a 39-year-old Thabong resident attempted to bribe police officers with R5 000 to ensure her freedom after having been cuffed for dealing in dagga.
She was apprehended after a tip-off that had led the police to her home in the Kgotsong section.
The woman told the arresting officers that she was selling dagga to put food on her table. She voluntarily handed over the drugs that had been hidden under the fridge and cash that had been behind the headboard.
The woman was arrested for dealing in dagga. The suspect then offered the police R5 000 in cash as a bribe for her freedom, and a charge of bribery was added to the arrest sheet. The bribe money was also confiscated.
