Three arrested and big haul of drugs confiscated

AN EARLY morning raid by police in Mthatha yesterday resulted in the arrest of three suspected drug peddlers and the recovery of drugs worth more than R41 000.

Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said through the intelligencedriven crime operation, police members had arrested two suspects in the city centre near the Northcrest Taxi Rank, while a third suspect was arrested in Norwood. “We confiscated 415 mandrax pills and 58 tik powder sachets.

“A sum of R10 000 was also confiscated from the three suspects,” he said.

However, Fatyela said they were not sure if the three suspects worked together. Investigations were continuing.

Police suspected there may be a “main man” working behind the scenes.

The trio will appear in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with drug dealing.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, a suspected conman on the run from the police since June was arrested in Mtubatuba while in possession of a stolen car.

Fatyela said the 31year-old is believed to have conned several people by pretending to assist them in getting off the blacklist.

“The car, which he allegedly took from a nurse and never returned, was found with a new registrat Fatyela said.

The man’s modus operandi was to take bank loans on behalf of some of his victims using their own bank details but then he allegedly vanished with the money, Fatyela said.

He has been charged with theft and fraud.

More charges could be added if other victims came forward.

He is due to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

“If there are any people who have been swindled [by the suspect] we urge them to come forward,” Fatyela said. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za