Man arrested for drug dealing

A 35-year-old man was arrested and charged with dealing in illicit drugs after an intelligence-driven operation was held by SAPS members from Joza and Makhanda police stations.

The operation, held on September 24, formed part of the provincial commissioner’s Operation Sikhona and focused on hotspot areas in Makhanda.

While the focus was on drug posts, liquor outlets were also visited to ensure compliance with liquor trade regulations.

During the operation, police, in possession of a search warrant searched a house in Joza Street in Makhanda, where they arrested a man and seized 26 boss mandrax tablets, 40g of crystal meth (tik), 500g of dagga, 15 bompies of dagga, 170 tik pipes and R1,140 in cash.

The 35-year-old suspect was due to appear in the magistrate’s court in Makhanda this week on charges of dealing in illicit drugs.

Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene welcomed the operation and commended the police for their continued efforts in eradicating illegal drugs.

“Drugs are destroying our youth and we urge the communities to break the silence and to report these drug dens that are operating in their neighbourhoods.

“Drugs are a major contributory factor in the commission of crimes,” Mene said.

“Desperate addicts will do anything in their power to get a ‘fix’ and will even resort to criminal activities such as robberies and housebreakings to feed their habit,” Mene said.

He said the success of Operation Sikhona depended on “both the police and more importantly community involvement”.