FREE STATE — A major Parys drug bust orchestrated by the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit has resulted in the arrest of three foreign nationals and the confiscation of a significant cache of narcotics. The targeted operation, focused on dismantling local drug peddling rings, successfully removed substantial quantities of Crystal Meth and Mandrax from the streets of the Free State town.
The operation commenced on Friday, 24 July 2026, when Section C2 operatives were dispatched to the area for routine crime prevention. During a patrol, officers detected unusual activity at a residential home on Kort Street. Rapid on-the-ground intelligence gathering indicated that foreign nationals operating from the address were actively distributing illegal substances. Consequently, investigators swiftly secured a search warrant through the Parys Magistrate’s Court.
Authorities executed the tactical raid on Saturday, 25 July 2026. Officers intercepted a 48-year-old male suspect in the act of finalizing a drug transaction. He was promptly detained, and an immediate search of his person revealed illicit narcotics and cash. As the search expanded into the residence, a second foreign national, a 46-year-old man, was located inside. A comprehensive sweep of the property yielded a substantial haul of Crystal Meth and Mandrax.
Prompt follow-up investigations directed the anti-gang operatives to a second address located in the town’s Mandela Section. There, law enforcement apprehended a 31-year-old male suspect who was discovered in possession of further quantities of Crystal Meth and Mandrax.
A spokesperson for the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit confirmed that all three suspects—aged 31, 46, and 48—are currently being held in police custody. The trio is scheduled to make an imminent appearance at the Parys Magistrate’s Court to face formal charges related to drug dealing.
