4 Arrested in Connection with R7m Worth of Drugs in Sting Operation by Hawks, DEA and Crime Intelligence
- The Hawks in partnership with Crime Intelligence and the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) conducted a sting operation
- They arrested four people in North West and Gauteng in connection with transitional drug trafficking
- The syndicate allegedly operates in South Africa, Mozambique and the United States of America
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly News on your News Feed!
POTCHEFSTROOM - Yesterday (30 December) the Hawks in partnership with Crime Intelligence and the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) conducted a sting operation resulting in four people in North West and Gauteng being arrested for transnational drug trafficking.
In a press statement sent to Briefly News by Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkawalase, a Hawks spokesperson, it is stated that the men who were arrested are between 38 and 54 years old and are accused of being involved in a drug-selling syndicate which operates in South Africa, Mozambique and the US.
The accused are foreign nationals and were arrested in Modderfontein (Gauteng) and Buffelshoek (North West). Hawks have been aware of the group for a while and have been organising the sting to arrest them, News24 reports.
Source: UGC
What the sting operation found and consequences for the accused
Hawks reported that they discovered an estimated R7 million worth of crystal meth, weighing 60kg, in the group's possession. This led to their arrest on charges of drug dealing. The drugs which were found are being analysed in laboratories to ascertain their exact content.
PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel!
The Hawks are exploring the option of drawing up an extradition agreement with the US. The first hearing in this matter will take place on 3 January 2022 at the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court in North West, according to IOL.
Nkawalase told Briefly News that due to the ongoing nature of the case and the trial not yet having started no more information can be shared at this time, but more details will be released after the first court appearance.
Reactions to the sting operation's success
@Antonov007007 remarked:
"Yhoo, the help from DEA. The Hawks were going to bungle that operation."
@nathanudiza believes:
"They will somehow end up in the streets."
@spkruger99 asked:
"Taking bets. How long before it's back on the streets?"
Smugglers hide rhino horn in boxes of chocolate bars, caught at OR Tambo en route to China
In other news about the Hawks, Briefly News previously reported that A consignment of crushed rhino horn was intercepted by the Hawks at OR Tambo. The rhino horn powder, which was hidden in what appeared to be boxes of chocolate bars, was en route to China.
Lt-Col Philani Nkwalase, a Hawks spokesperson, said that a suspect who is 46 years old has been arrested in connection with this case and is scheduled to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on 28 December.
The suspect's arrest falls under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act. The smuggler had declared that the boxes contained Cadbury and Ferraro Rocher chocolates. however, when the Hawks investigated the boxes they found Lunch Bar chocolates and six rhino horn pieces.
Source: Briefly News
