The Welkom #AntiGangUnit arrested five suspects, including a foreign national, following a community outcry regarding drug dealing in Bohlokong. Drugs, ammunition, and a sedan motor vehicle were seized during the operation.
On Saturday, 28 February 2026, concerned community members alerted the Welkom police about individuals allegedly selling drugs in the area. The police operationalised the information, which led to the arrest of two suspects aged 40 and 28 in Bohlokong, found in possession of mandrax tablets and crystal meth.
Further information received led police to Setsing Taxi Rank in Bethlehem, where a third suspect (28) was arrested and found in possession of 22 mandrax tablets and 28 crystal meth packets, including halved and quartered mandrax tablets. All three suspects were placed under arrest.
While the team was busy with administrative processes at Bethlehem Police Station, they received additional information about a silver Ford Fiesta with Free State registration allegedly involved in drug distribution in Bohlokong. The vehicle was traced and pursued towards Lindley Road, where it was successfully stopped. The driver was found in possession of 11 R5 ammunition rounds concealed underneath the steering wheel.
Further investigations led police to a rented room in Bohlokong, where 147 mandrax tablets and a crystal meth ball weighing 136.8 grams, with an estimated street value of R8,000, were recovered. A foreign national (28) and a local woman (28) were arrested, and the vehicle was seized.
All five suspects – three men and two women – have been charged and are expected to appear before the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 2 March 2026, facing charges of possession of drugs and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The South African Police Service commends the community for their cooperation and continued trust. This demonstrates that drug dealing is not viewed as a problem of specific groups or nationalities. Drugs are poisonous to society, particularly to the youth. Working together, police and communities can effectively combat crime and protect our communities. #DrugsOffTheStreets
