A drug kingpin has been arrested with drugs valued at more than R320 000 and Krugerrands.
Project Doper was launched in 2022 with the aim of addressing the concerning prevalence of drug syndicates operating in Odendaalsrus and Welkom.
The project once again yielded results during one of its most recent efforts, when it was implemented on 10 August.
A total of 16 cases of dealing in drugs and one case of possession of drugs were registered against arrested suspects, including a kingpin of drug dealers in Welkom. During the arrest Mandrax tablets, crystal meth and cat with a street value of more than R320 000 was found in the kingpin’s possession.
Two vehicles used in the commission of crime, a digital scale used to weigh drugs, an undisclosed amount of cash and an unknown amount of Kruger rands were also confiscated.
Two men, aged between 34 and 42 years, and a woman have been arrested. They are facing charges of dealing in drugs and the possession of drugs, and more charges may be added.
The trio will appear in the Welkom Magistrates’ Court on 14 August.
The police units involved in enforcing Project Doper on 10 August were: the provincial Organised Crime unit, Welkom and Thabong Crime Intelligence, the Crime Intelligence Surveillance unit, the provincial Tracking team, the Tactical Response Team (TRT), the provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit, the Flying Squad, Lejweleputswa District Operational Command Center (DOCC), the Welkom Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), as well as the Welkom and Ladybrand K9 units.
