By BAKANG MOKOTO
10 July 2026 – Two suspects were arrested in separate drug-related incidents by the Members of Charlie Platoon of the Public Order Police (POP) in the Namakwa District during a 12-hour deployment in the Springbok policing area. During the operation, the police stopped and searched a man at a hitchhiking spot in Okiep.
Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Irvin Captain Magerman, said suspected mandrax tablets were found in his possession, leading to his arrest. Magerman said in the early hours of 9 July 2026, the police acted on a tip-off regarding a vehicle allegedly linked to the transportation of drugs.
“Observation points were established around a local fuel station and along the N14 in anticipation of a bus expected to arrive in Springbok. Shortly after 3:30am, when the bus arrived, the police approached the driver of the identified vehicle and with his consent, conducted a search.
“A backpack found on the rear seat contained suspected drugs. A man (58) was arrested at the scene for drug trafficking,” he said.
Magerman further said the police confiscated a substantial amount of suspected mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of approximately R6000, as well as suspected methamphetamine (tik) with an estimated street value of R73 332.50. He added that the suspect briefly appeared in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on 9 July 2026.
Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended the police for their vigilance and acknowledged the valuable cooperation received from the community. Andrews reiterated that the SAPS remains committed to combating drug-related crime and warned that those involved in the illegal drug trade will face the full might of the law.
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