Police in the Free State province arrested multiple suspects on drug possession and dealing charges during operations spanning October 28-30, 2025, confiscating narcotics with a combined street value exceeding R71,000.
In Mafube, a 31-year-old African male was arrested for possession of suspected drugs. “On Thursday, 30 October 2025, at about 13:30, the Sasolburg Public Order Policing were policing the Mafube precinct when they received information about a male selling drugs at the informal settlement near a certain primary school,” Sergeant Josephine Rani of the South African Police Service in Free State stated. “Upon arrival at the place, the members found the suspect in possession of 30 zip-lock bags containing substances suspected to be crystal meth, and cash was confiscated.” The suspect is expected to appear before the Mafube Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of possession of suspected drugs.
In Ficksburg, two suspects were apprehended by the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit targeting drug-related crime and illegal firearm possession. “The arrests, made on Thursday, 30 October 2025, targeted drug-related crime and the illegal possession of a firearm in the area,” Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli of the South African Police Service in Free State reported.
“At approximately 17:30 on 30 October 2025, members of the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, acting on intelligence operation, followed up on information regarding a foreign national male suspected of dealing in drugs in Ficksburg town,” Kareli continued. “The team proceeded to a house in Ficksburg, gained entry with the suspect, and conducted a thorough search. During the search of the yard, officers discovered a black plastic bag hidden under a tree at the back of the house. Upon inspection, the bag contained Mandrax and Crystal Meth with an estimated street value of R30 000. The 37-year-old foreign national was immediately arrested and charged with dealing in drugs.”
“In a separate incident later that evening, at approximately 19:15, members of the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit conducted a stop-and-search operation in the Matlharangtlheng area near the border, close to a tavern,” Kareli added. “Officers stopped an African male carrying a blue side bag. During the search of his sling bag, the officers discovered a silver revolver firearm. The 27-year-old suspect was immediately arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm.” The two suspects are set to appear in the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court soon.
In Bloemfontein’s Hospitaalpark area, a 46-year-old foreign national was arrested during Safer Festive Season activities and Operation Shanela II. “During the execution of Safer Festive Season activities and Operation Shanela II, members of Public Order Policing Unit Bloemfontein and K9 followed up on information about a person who was in possession of drugs in Hospitaalpark, Bloemfontein. A search was conducted at a unit situated in Verdi Flats, Hegar Crescent,” Lt Col Thabo Covane of the South African Police in Free State said. “The police team seized 85 grams of Chrystal Meth, 5 grams of CAT [Methcathinone] drug, and four (4) pieces of Cocaine. The total street value of the seized drugs is estimated at R30 000.00.” The suspect was placed under arrest, with a case docket opened at Parkweg Police Station, and will appear in Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon.
Separately, in Clocolan, a 24-year-old female suspect was arrested for dealing in drugs following an intelligence-driven operation by the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit deployed in the Ficksburg area. “On Tuesday, 28 October 2025, at approximately 21:00, PAGU members received an intelligence led information regarding an African male and female who were allegedly transporting and distributing drugs between Clocolan and Ficksburg,” Kareli stated.
“Members proceeded to the suspects’ residence in Thethe Location, Clocolan. While en route, further intelligence was received, indicating that the primary suspect, a 24-year-old female, was traveling from Johannesburg after allegedly collecting a consignment of drugs,” he said. “The PAGU team immediately set up a roadblock on the R26 road near Clocolan. The suspect’s vehicle was soon intercepted. Upon searching the suspect, police discovered a large quantity of Nyaope drugs in her possession. The female suspect was taken to her house for a further search, where police recovered two full tablets of Mandrax.”
“The suspect was immediately placed under arrest and has been formally charged with dealing in drugs. The estimated street value of the recovered drugs is R11 000-00. Police also confiscated an undisclosed amount of cash suspected to be proceeds from the sale of drugs,” Kareli noted. The suspect will appear in Clocolan court soon.
Police management has commended the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit for their continuous commitment to dismantling drug distribution networks and ensuring the safety of communities in the Free State Province.