A 34 year old Nigerian national has been arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs after police seized narcotics valued at approximately R12,400 during an intelligence driven operation near the Nanaga farm stall on Saturday afternoon.
The arrest followed a joint operation involving members of the Makhanda Crime Prevention Unit and Paterson South African Police Service (SAPS) Visible Policing unit under Operation Shanela.
Police intercepted a white Volkswagen Up reportedly being used to transport illicit substances from Gqeberha to Paterson.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 70 mandrax tablets, nine bankies of tik weighing five grams each, and two bankies of kat weighing 3.5 grams each.
The suspected drugs were confiscated, while the vehicle was also seized on the grounds that it had allegedly been used in the commission of a crime.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and is facing a charge related to dealing in drugs. Police did not provide further details about his identity or when he is expected to appear in court.
Sarah Baartman District Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso commended the officers involved, describing the seizure as a significant intervention against local drug distribution networks.
“Operation Shanela is our ongoing, high visibility intervention strategy by the South African Police Service aimed at combating crime, dismantling drug syndicates, and tightening law enforcement across our communities,” Kupiso said.
She added that police remained committed to disrupting the movement of illegal substances through the district.
“We remain resolute in tracking down those who attempt to traffic illicit substances through our corridors, and we will continue to squeeze the space for criminals to operate,” she said.
The operation forms part of SAPS efforts to strengthen visible policing and intelligence led interventions against criminal activities.
The seizure brings renewed attention to the movement of illicit substances along transport routes connecting Gqeberha with smaller communities in the Eastern Cape.