Several suspects in cases of possesion and also dealing in drugs were arrested as part of the police’s Operation Shanela in Bloemfontein on Thursday and Friday last week.
This comes two weeks after the Heidedal Civic Association and residents held a march to protest against issues concerning the Heidedal Police Station.
One of their main concerns was the detrimental effects of drugs, especially on the young residents of Heidedal.
Members of the Public Order Policing (POP) unit received intelligence and effected action at several adresses in Heidedal on 9 November.
The team arrived at Pietersen Crescent in Opkoms at around 08:45 and arrested a 23-year-old male in possession of 29 small zip lock plastic bags containing crystal meth and Mandrax tablets.
Another suspect (23) was arrested in the same street, after the police had searched his premises and found Mandrax.
The operation continued in Jimmy Kennedy Crescent, also in Opkoms, where a male suspect (20) in possession of three Mandrax tablets was arrested.
Two Mandrax tablets was also found on another male suspect (28).
The last arrest was effected at about 17:20 in Mars Street in Ashbury, where a male suspect (27) was found in possession of crystal meth.
Cases of dealing in and possession of drugs were subsequently opened at Heidedal Police Station.
On the next day, the Tactical Response team in Bloemfontein embarked on a sweep operation.
The team arrived at a house in Pieter Swartz adjacent to Bloemside at about 11:00.
A search was conducted and 302 full Mandrax tablets and 27 halves with an estimated street value of R50 000 was found and seized. A male suspect (49) was arrested for dealing in drugs.
The team members then moved to another target house in Freedom Square, were they seized crystal meth and Mandrax tablets with a estimated street value of R5 000. A male suspect (20) was arrested.
The last target house was searched at about 14:30 in Douglas Street in the Bloemfontein CBD.
Here 14 large bankies containing crystal meth, with an estimated street value of R8 000, were found and seized.
A 29-year-old foreign national was arrested for dealing in drugs.
The suspects were expected to appear in court soon.
