GQEBERHA — A major Gqeberha drug bust has resulted in the seizure of illegal narcotics with an estimated street value exceeding R9.7 million. South African authorities confiscated the massive cache during an intelligence-led operation in Rowallan Park, leading to the arrest of a 38-year-old suspect.
The tactical operation was spearheaded by the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Organised Crime Intervention under the banner of Operation Ukubuza. According to SAPS spokespersons, the team executed a search warrant at a targeted residential address following actionable intelligence regarding violent organized crime and illicit trafficking networks.
During the search, officers discovered the suspect inside a vehicle parked within the property’s garage. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a substantial quantity of suspected mandrax, cocaine, and tik. In addition to the narcotics, police confiscated drug-packaging materials and cash believed to be the proceeds of criminal activities.
The arrested individual is scheduled to appear before the Gqeberha Magistrates’ Court on Monday to face multiple drug-related charges. Meanwhile, the seized substances have been sent for forensic analysis to determine their exact composition and confirm the estimated street value.
SAPS spokespersons emphasized that the police remain steadfast in their commitment to intensifying operations aimed at dismantling organized criminal syndicates. Disrupting the illicit drug trade remains a top priority to ensure the safety and well-being of local communities, while broader investigations into the network remain ongoing.
