Operation Shanela reaps rewards as SAPS continue with the fight against crime

The fight against the distribution of drugs yielded positive results on Friday 08 December 2023, when members attached to Operation Shanela and the Western Cape Drones Unit operationalised the information which resulted in the seizure of drugs in three separate areas.

Operation Shanela members followed up on information of a premises where drugs are being sold in Xomoyi Street, Extension 4, Mfuleni. The members immediately operationalised the information, and at the identified address they found the suspected drug runner in front of the premises. Whilst busy searching him he received a call from the alleged supplier who informed him that he is on his way to drop the drugs that were ordered earlier the day.

The members waited and monitored the area until the suspected supplier arrived after which he was searched and apprehended. The suspect was found to be in possession of a consignment of drugs consisting of mandrax tablets and crystal meth (Tik).

It was then ascertained that the suspect is a foreign national. The members went to verify his residential address in Wynberg area and upon arrival at his apartment, another consignment of drugs consisting of mandrax tablets and unpacked heroine and an undisclosed amount of money, suspected to be the proceeds of drugs, were found and confiscated. The 46-year-old male was arrested for dealing in drugs.

When the members were about to leave the apartment, they saw a separate entrance in the same apartment, when they knocked, a male responded and opened the door. He became alarmed when he noticed the police, and threw a small bag in the dustbin, which upon closer inspection, was found to be carrying drugs in the form of crystal meth packets and loose unprocessed heroin. The 46-year-old male was arrested for dealing and possession of drugs.

On 08 December 2023, in an unrelated matter members attached to the Western Cape Drone Unit patrolled near a farm in Bottelary Road, Brackenfell. The members were monitoring the area utilising drone technology when they saw a suspicious-looking male. They immediately stopped and searched the 58-year-old man and found him to have 25 sachets containing tik and one big sachet containing tik and mandrax tablets. He was arrested and detained at Brackenfell SAPS for possession of drugs.

The suspects are due to appear in the Blue Downs and Wynberg and Kuilsrivier Magistrates’ courts respectively once charged.