The multimillion rand drug bust in East London a week ago was a drop in the ocean in relation to the Eastern Cape’s drug problem.
The Hawks in January obtained permission from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to conduct undercover investigations in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act into drug dealing.
The operation resulted in thousands of mandrax tablets being confiscated and more than R1.3-million being seized. They pounced on unsuspecting alleged drug dealers, who were arrested at their homes. The Napoleon family were among them, and now faces charges for drug dealing.
The law gives police “authority to make use of traps and undercover operations”.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesman Tsepo Ndwalaza said they appreciated working with other members of the criminal justice cluster.
“The DPP has got the power to give permission in such situations and where this kind of operation has been undertaken, we have been very successful in executing arrests.
“We are not in a position to give details as to what happens as this is really privileged information that cannot be shared with public,” Ndwalaza added.
Permission was granted for the operation to run between January and July.
During that period, undercover police officers acted as agents and allegedly bought thousands of mandrax tablets at a Fynbos house on the three occasions.
Five members of the Napoleon family were arrested, three of whom were denied bail and the other two released on R20000 bail each.
The court heard that police obtained audio and video evidence depicting the sale of drugs on:
lMarch 25, involving 500 mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R15000;
lApril 16, involving 1000 mandrax tablets at a value of R30000
lMay 28, when police bought mandrax tablets to the value of R29000.
Hawks national spokesman Brigadier Hangwane Mulaudzi said the drug bust was just the first phase.
Mulaudzi commended local police for their efforts in fighting drugs, saying there were many drugs being moved around Eastern Cape streets.
He said they were also aware of gang related turf wars in the province.
He called on community members to not be afraid and to come forward with information on drug dealing in their areas.
“We know drug dealers often fund some people in their communities in order to buy their loyalty but now we have closed the tap and we are hoping people will come forward,” he added.
Roger Weimann, a director at East London’s Sanca office, agreed with Mulaudzi on the extent of the province’s drug problem.
“What they have found is a drop in the ocean. Drugs are cheap and they are freely available to anyone looking.
“They are now infiltrating our schools and a result youngsters are experimenting with harder drugs,” he added.
Drug bust ’a drop in the ocean’
The Hawks in January obtained permission from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to conduct undercover investigations in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act into drug dealing.
The operation resulted in thousands of mandrax tablets being confiscated and more than R1.3-million being seized. They pounced on unsuspecting alleged drug dealers, who were arrested at their homes. The Napoleon family were among them, and now faces charges for drug dealing.
The law gives police “authority to make use of traps and undercover operations”.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesman Tsepo Ndwalaza said they appreciated working with other members of the criminal justice cluster.
“The DPP has got the power to give permission in such situations and where this kind of operation has been undertaken, we have been very successful in executing arrests.
“We are not in a position to give details as to what happens as this is really privileged information that cannot be shared with public,” Ndwalaza added.
Permission was granted for the operation to run between January and July.
During that period, undercover police officers acted as agents and allegedly bought thousands of mandrax tablets at a Fynbos house on the three occasions.
Five members of the Napoleon family were arrested, three of whom were denied bail and the other two released on R20000 bail each.
The court heard that police obtained audio and video evidence depicting the sale of drugs on:
lMarch 25, involving 500 mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R15000;
lApril 16, involving 1000 mandrax tablets at a value of R30000
lMay 28, when police bought mandrax tablets to the value of R29000.
Hawks national spokesman Brigadier Hangwane Mulaudzi said the drug bust was just the first phase.
Mulaudzi commended local police for their efforts in fighting drugs, saying there were many drugs being moved around Eastern Cape streets.
He said they were also aware of gang related turf wars in the province.
He called on community members to not be afraid and to come forward with information on drug dealing in their areas.
“We know drug dealers often fund some people in their communities in order to buy their loyalty but now we have closed the tap and we are hoping people will come forward,” he added.
Roger Weimann, a director at East London’s Sanca office, agreed with Mulaudzi on the extent of the province’s drug problem.
“What they have found is a drop in the ocean. Drugs are cheap and they are freely available to anyone looking.
“They are now infiltrating our schools and a result youngsters are experimenting with harder drugs,” he added.
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