Daud Olatunji
South African police have arrested two Nigerian nationals and another suspect during an anti-drug operation in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape Province, recovering suspected drugs with an estimated street value of R1.5m, approximately N125m.
The South African Police Service said the operation was conducted on Thursday, August 27, under Operation Ukubuza, following intelligence on suspected drug dealing activities in Parliament Street, Central, Gqeberha.
The Nigerians were identified as 36-year-old Kelvin Ike and 52-year-old Okeke Joseph Sunday.
According to the police, officers first arrested the two Nigerians after allegedly finding them in possession of suspected drugs.
A third suspect, aged 42, was also arrested after police allegedly found him with a large amount of cash which he could not satisfactorily account for.
Police said an investigation had been opened into the source of the money.
The operation reportedly took a dramatic turn when a police K9 officer detected suspected drugs in and around a white Mercedes-Benz B200 Turbo parked in the area.
“During the search, a suspect was found hiding in the boot of the vehicle,” the police said.
According to SAPS, officers traced the owner of the Mercedes-Benz, who confirmed that he had been renting out the vehicle and subsequently authorised a search.
Police said a key allegedly found on the suspect led investigators to a flat, where another search was conducted.
The search reportedly yielded various suspected drugs, including dagga, tik, khat, cocaine and mandrax tablets.
Officers also seized several smoking pipes, insulin syringes, a portable measuring scale and an undisclosed amount of cash.
SAPS said additional suspected drugs and insulin needles were recovered from the Mercedes-Benz.
Ike and Sunday were subsequently arraigned before the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to possession of drugs.
Their case was adjourned until Monday, August 31, when the 42-year-old suspect facing a drug-dealing charge was also expected to appear.
Meanwhile, the South African police have launched a separate manhunt for another Nigerian, 41-year-old Stanley Ozioma Abachi, over an alleged drug possession and trafficking case dating back to April 2022.
SAPS said a warrant had been obtained for Abachi’s arrest and that he was last seen in Welkom, Free State.
The Senekal police have appealed to members of the public with information about his whereabouts to assist investigators.
The latest arrests come amid intensified police operations targeting suspected drug trafficking and dealing networks in South Africa.
Acting NMB District Commissioner, Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo, commended officers involved in the Gqeberha operation, saying their swift response to intelligence had helped remove a significant quantity of suspected drugs from the streets.
Ngalo said SAPS would continue operations against drug dealers and other criminal networks as part of efforts to improve community safety.
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