Two more arrests have been made, and large amounts of contraband and drugs were seized during the continuing Operation Vala uMgodi actions in the Free State.
The combat team swept through Rheederpark, Phomolong, near Welkom, visiting drug posts and houses identified as targets for illegal mining activities.
A 40-year-old man was arrested for being in possession of and dealing in dagga.
The police confiscated 94 small bankies, or zip lock plastics, containing dried leaves of dagga that were found at his residence. The dagga weighed 564 g with an estimated street value of R1 000.
Contraband goods and foodstuffs such as soya mince and biltong were seized from a 23-year-old contract worker at the Kopanang Mine. Further information led to the search of the suspect’s living unit, where cash purportedly received as payment for smuggling food down the shaft was confiscated. A case of conspiracy to commit crime with additional charges of money laundering and assisting illegal miners was opened..
