Three arrested after R1.5m drug seizure in Gqeberha during Operation UKUBUZA

Police seized suspected drugs worth approximately R1.5 million and arrested three men during an Operation UKUBUZA raid in Gqeberha, after receiving information about alleged drug activity on Parliament Street.

Tip-off leads to morning raid

The operation took place on Thursday, 27 August at about 11:00, when members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) acted on information about people allegedly selling drugs in Parliament Street in the Central area of Gqeberha.

Three suspects detained

Police arrested two men who were allegedly found in possession of suspected drugs. A third man was detained after officers found a large amount of cash that he could not satisfactorily account for; police opened an inquiry into that cash.

Vehicle search uncovers hidden suspect and more evidence

During the operation a K9 member noticed a white Mercedes-Benz B200 Turbo parked in the street with what appeared to be drugs visible inside. Officers searched the vehicle and its immediate surroundings and found a plastic bag containing suspected drugs near the rear tyre.

After tracing the vehicle’s owner who told officers he had rented the Mercedes-Benz and permitted a search officers found a man hiding in the boot.

Residence search yields multiple drugs and paraphernalia

Police said they recovered a key to a flat on one of the suspects. A subsequent search of that residence uncovered suspected dagga, tik, khat, cocaine and mandrax tablets, along with several smoking pipes, insulin syringes, a portable measuring scale and an undisclosed amount of cash. Additional suspected drugs and insulin needles were also found inside the Mercedes-Benz.

Police valued the suspected drugs seized during the operation at approximately R1.5 million.

Court appearances and police statement

Two foreign nationals, Kelvin Ike, 36, and Okeke Joseph Sunday, 52, appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on drug possession charges. Their cases were remanded to Monday, 31 August. A 42-year-old suspect arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs is also expected to appear in court on Monday, 31 August.

Police response

Acting NMB District Commissioner Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo praised the Operation UKUBUZA team for acting on the information and removing what he described as a significant quantity of suspected drugs from the streets. SAPS said operations targeting drug dealers and other criminal activity will continue as it works to disrupt criminal networks and improve community safety.

About the reporting source

According to The South African, TheSouthAfrican.com is focused on stories that affect South Africans. According to The South African, the site and its partners store and/or access information on a device and process personal data for personalised advertising and content. According to The South African, readers can take part in a Winter Reader Survey to win R5 000.