Ten arrested in Ekurhuleni drug crackdown as police tighten the net

Ten arrested in Ekurhuleni drug crackdown as police tighten the net

A week-long police operation across Ekurhuleni has once again highlighted how deeply drugs continue to affect communities in Gauteng. Ten people, including two women, were arrested after law enforcement seized illegal substances worth more than R22,800 during targeted raids carried out earlier this month.

The arrests were made by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Drug Enforcement Unit, which conducted focused operations between Monday, 12 January and Friday, 16 January 2026. Officers moved through several areas in the metro, acting on intelligence linked to drug possession and dealing.

Who was arrested and what was found

According to police, the suspects, eight men and two women aged between 19 and 55, were found in possession of a range of illicit substances. The drugs recovered included khat, dagga, crystal meth and mandrax, all with a combined street value estimated at R22,800.

All ten suspects now face charges related to the possession and dealing of illegal drugs. They were detained at various police stations and are expected to appear in different magistrates’ courts in the coming days.

A familiar problem for local communities

Drug-related crime has long been a concern in Ekurhuleni, where residents frequently raise worries about substance abuse fuelling petty crime, house break-ins and violence. On local community forums and social media, residents welcomed the arrests but questioned whether sustained enforcement would follow.

“Arrests are good, but we need consistency,” one community member commented online, echoing a common sentiment that crackdowns must be ongoing to make a real impact.

Part of a wider policing push

The EMPD says the operation forms part of a broader effort to disrupt drug networks operating within the metro. Police have again urged residents to assist by reporting suspicious activity, stressing that tip-offs often play a critical role in successful arrests.

The Ekurhuleni bust comes amid similar drug-related arrests elsewhere in the country. Earlier this month, police in Limpopo arrested a 58-year-old woman after seizing crystal meth worth an estimated R9,000 during an intelligence-driven operation. In a separate Limpopo case, a 51-year-old man was also arrested after police recovered dagga, packaged sachets and cash.

More than just statistics

While the value of the drugs seized may seem modest, police say each arrest disrupts supply chains that affect families and neighbourhoods daily. For many residents, these operations are about restoring a sense of safety and dignity in communities already under pressure.

As Ekurhuleni police continue their enforcement drive, the message is clear: drug-related crime remains firmly in the crosshairs and authorities are calling on the public to help keep it there.