Saps arrests nearly 18,000 suspects, seizes R200m cocaine haul

Over the course of a single week, the South African Police Service (Saps) has made significant strides against drug trafficking networks, arresting 17,914 suspects nationwide and seizing a staggering R200 million worth of raw cocaine at OR Tambo International Airport. With the festive season approaching, law enforcement agencies have ramped up their operations, targeting drug syndicates and violent crime through initiatives such as Safer Festive Season operations and Operation Shanela II.

Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, a spokesperson for Operation Shanela II, emphasized that the intensified efforts aim to dismantle organized criminal networks across the country. In the week's operations, 2,851 suspects were apprehended for a range of offenses, including drug trafficking and other serious crimes. Drug busts accounted for a substantial portion of the arrests, with 267 alleged drug dealers and 3,039 suspects detained for drug possession.

The Western Cape recorded the highest number of drug-related arrests, with 1,841 individuals taken into custody. A notable achievement was the seizure of raw cocaine worth over R200 million, intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport, which had arrived from São Paulo, Brazil. In addition to drugs, Saps dismantled two drug laboratories in Gauteng and North West, arresting five individuals in Krugersdorp and four in Ramokokastad.

The crackdown also saw the recovery of 164 illegal firearms, 1,425 rounds of ammunition, 765 dangerous weapons, and 57 stolen or hijacked vehicles. These operations collectively underscore the SAPS's unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and security of South African communities during the holiday season.