Foreign Suspect Arrested in R200M Drug Bust in Johannesburg

• The SAPS have arrested a foreign national suspect in an R200M crystal meth-making products bust in Douglasdale
• South Africans have expressed outrage on Facebook, blaming the government for negligence towards foreign nationals involved in the drug trade
• Comments on the bust range from praise for the police to accusations of corruption and drug redistribution by high-ranking officials

With a background in South African socio-economic crime analysis at Isolezwe, Phumelele Nxumalo remains dedicated to comprehensive crime reporting at Briefly News.

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Police Service (SAPS) has cracked down and arrested one foreign individual in an enormous drug bust in Douglasdale, North of Johannesburg.

Speaking to eNCA, SAPS said they stopped a suspicious vehicle for reckless driving. Upon searching the individual and the car, many sets of car and house keys were found.

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Suspect leads police to drug warehouse

Police say the suspect led them to a storage unit in Kya Sands, where products used to make crystal meth worth R200 million were discovered. The suspect has been arrested and will be appearing in court soon.

South Africans are outraged

Commenting on a post by the broadcaster on Facebook, South Africans weighed in on the bust, with most blaming the government for turning a blind eye to foreign nationals in the country.

Below are some of the comments:

Katlego Ketura

"Well done to the boys in blue, salute."

Elaine Brown remarked:

"No respect! Hope the authorities realise the destruction and pain these drugs cause, it's a curse. Honour your oath, people are dying and they are not even addicts!"

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Pro Sibbs commented:

"The police eat with dealers."

Thaban Mkhize noted:

"Naah the drugs will be redirected and redistributed to where it's meant to go and no one is going to jail. It's always said king pins are connected to high-ranking officials."

Shudus Mulaudzi lambasted:

"Foreigners they do what ever they want in South Africa because Malema will protect them."

Stan Ndaba said:

"The suspect is a foreigner again. I don't know why they think they're hated, proof is there every second day."

Person with R50 million copper arrested

In a previous report by Briefly News, a syndicate believed to be involved in various crimes, including the dealing and selling copper, was arrested by the Hawks' Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) in Pretoria.

Warrant Officer Noloyiso Rwexana said in a statement that TOMS' intel into the syndicate led to the arrest. She said SAPS arrested a 27-year-old suspect found at the property, and copper valued at over R50 million was confiscated. The suspect appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on 6 November.

Source: Briefly News