The Welkom Public Order Police Unit deployed in the Eastern Free State again arrested five suspects in Qwaqwa and Harrismith for alleged drug peddling.
Police also seized an unlicensed firearm that was reported stolen in Harrismith.
On 4 July 2023, members received information with regard to a certain woman distributing drugs in and around Qwaqwa. The information was operationalized when the team made a waylay near Mandela Scrapyard.
They spotted the arrival of the suspect and upon seeing the police, she fled and hid at a nearby house in the village however, she was apprehended. She was found in possession of 80 sachets of Nyaope wrapped in plastic.
On further search, they found a silver 9mm pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition. It was discovered that the firearm was reported stolen at Harrismith in January 2023.
The 25-year-old woman was arrested.
Further information led the team to Harrismith where four alleged kingpins were arrested and found with a total of 326 sachets of Nyaope wrapped in plastic.
The suspects aged 26, 32, 33 and 35 have been charged and are expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate Court on Thursday, 6 July 2023, facing charges of dealing in drugs.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit team was patrolling at Ezenzeleni near Warden when they attempted to stop a young man who acted suspicious and search him.
He ran away but was chased and caught. Upon searching, the police found him in possession of five unlicensed rounds of ammunition.
The 26-year-old suspect has been charged and is expected to appear before Warden Magistrate Court on Thursday, 6 July 2033, facing the charge of possession of unlicensed ammunition.
