Three Mozambican nationals have been arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, for possession of drugs.
Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, said the law enforcement agencies seized a “substantial” quantity of illicit drugs.
“The Gauteng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation undertook an operation targeting drug trafficking activities in the region on Monday, December 2 2024, in the Cleveland policing precinct,” said Ramovha.
“This was a result of a coordinated effort by the Johannesburg serious organised crime investigation, South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, and the Trafficking in Persons unit.”
The operation led to the arrest of three individuals - Alexandre Alberto Chissano, 62, Raul Silvadore Homo, 51, and Antonio Lisboa, 33, who are all Mozambican nationals, and the seizure of the substantial quantity of illicit drugs.
“Their arrest followed intelligence received regarding a gold Toyota Avensis implicated in drug dealing. Acting on this information, the vehicle was located in Kensington and stopped. Upon searching the vehicle with the occupants' consent, a secret compartment behind the back seats was discovered but found to be empty.
“However, a further search of the boot revealed five containers containing crystal meth, weighing a total of five kilogrammes with an estimated street value of approximately R1.3 million,” said Ramovha.
The three suspects were subsequently detained, and the Toyota Avensis was impounded by the police.
The three accused people have appeared before the Johannesburg Regional Court on Wednesday, charged for contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.
The case against the trio has been postponed to December 11 for further proceedings.
Meanwhile, Gauteng head of the Hawks, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has warned drug peddlers across the province.
“The Gauteng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation remains steadfast in its mission to disrupt and dismantle criminal activities,” he said.
IOL