Northern Cape: KIMBERLEY: Intense police crime prevention dubbed Operation Basadi and high police visibility in the Frances Baard Cluster yielded much desired results subsequent to the arrest of three drug peddlers over the weekend.
The South African Police Service specialised units including crime intelligence and K9 units formed part of the operation. Police confiscated more than 200 mandrax tablets and dagga worth R25000 estimated street value. Several shebeens were raided in Galeshewe area, and the owners were issued with fines for dealing in liquor illegally.
Two of the suspects were arrested in Kimberley, Warrenton hitch-hiking spot during a stop and search operation. A 27-year-old man who attempted to flee from police was speedily arrested after a chase on foot. More than 80 mandrax tablets were seized from the suspect.
In a separate incident one suspect was arrested just outside Kimberley on the R31 road after being found in possession of more than 60 mandrax tablets. The police pulled off the suspect’s car and searched it and a bag filled with dagga and mandrax tablets were found inside the vehicle.
The suspects are charged with dealing in drugs and they will make a brief appearance before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 August 2016.
During Operation Basadi, more than 180 train commuters were searched and two men who were suspected to be undocumented persons were arrested. The police boarded a train that was travelling from Johannesburg via Kimberley to Cape Town. The train search comprised of addressing crimes within the railway environment and also searching for transportation of illegal goods including firearms, drugs and suspected stolen properties.
