This, as several drug-related arrests have been made by members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) and Hawks' serious organised crime the few past weeks. Some of these arrests have also led to the hefty sentencing of suspects which, among others, include the sentencing of 28-year-old Sbonke Banele Bengu.

He was sentenced to 18 years direct imprisonment by the Calvinia Regional Court on Thursday for dealing in drugs. Hawks provincial spokesperson, Nomthandazo Mnisi, says Bengu was arrested in September 2018 by members of the K9-Unit after receiving a tip-off about a suspicious vehicle that was driving in and around Calvinia.

Mnisi says following a tip-off, the suspect was found in possession of Mandrax tablets in boxes concealed in the car's trunk worth R6.5 million.

Before his arrest, the vehicle he was travelling in was spotted at a petrol station after it apparently broke down due to mechanical problems. The drugs were confiscated by the police. Bengu was also declared unfit to own a firearm.

His sentencing comes after numerous arrests were made by the police in the province.

On July 24 three men aged 25, 21 and 20 were arrested for the sale of the drugs in Breipaal in Douglas following a joint operation conducted by Provincial Crime Intelligence Unit, Kimberley K9-Unit and the Tactical Response Team

The members confiscated mandrax tablets and dagga with an estimated street value of R3 120, as well as R737 cash believed to be the proceeds of drug sales.

In another separate case two alleged drug peddlers were arrested in possession of drugs worth R200 000 on May 17 in Rhodesdene in Kimberley.

In March four people, between the ages of 20 and 38, were arrested in two separate incidents for dealing in drugs worth tens of thousands of rand.

OFM News