Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says the Welkom Flying Squad followed up on information that a vehicle was transporting drugs. The vehicle was spotted next to a food outlet and was approached and searched. During the search, 48 containers of ARV tablets valued at about R24 000 were found inside the trunk of the car. The suspects will appear in the Welkom Magistrate's Court today.

This is the fourth successful arrest involving stolen ARVs by the Free State police this year. Since January, a total of 12 people have been arrested in connection with an ARV syndicate. This includes eight men and four women. ARVs have been increasingly reported to be among medication that is sold illegally. The tablets are often used, among others, to concoct “nyaope” - a highly addictive form of heroin.

On January 9 this year, two men - including a health worker - were arrested in Bloemfontein for being in possession of 1068 bottles of ARVs. Two men and a woman were arrested the next day in Ventersburg. They were in possession of 265 bottles of ARVs. On January 23, three men and a woman were arrested in possession of another 160 bottles. All the suspects appeared in court and their cases continue.

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