Tag Archives: a variety of drugs

1426 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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Picture: Some of dagga seized by the police/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

11 November 2025- The integrated and intelligence-driven Safer Festive Season Shanela II operations conducted between 3 and 9 November 2025, resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of a variety of illegal contrabands, 33 rounds of ammunition, three vehicles, a variety of drugs, and liquor. In the same period, a total of 1426 suspects were arrested for different crimes.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said 412 out of the 1426 arrests were circulated wanted suspects, after they were positively linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads. Mokgwabone said the suspects, among others, include those arrested for murder, robberies, attempted murders, rape, burglaries, assaults, illegal dealing in drugs, possession of drugs, selling of liquor without licences, driving under the influence of liquor, malicious damage to property and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

“During these operations, 38 illegal migrants were apprehended for contravention of section 49 of the Immigration Act, 2002. In Ngaka Modiri Molema District, a crime intelligence-driven operation by the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Proactive Drug Operation and Mahikeng K9 Unit led to the arrest of six suspects in the policing precincts of Mmabatho and Mahikeng on 6 and 7 November 2025.

“Two of the suspects were nabbed for aggravated robbery, while four others were arrested for possession of illegal substances. During the arrests, the police confiscated drugs such as crystal meth, kat and mandrax, all with an estimated street value of R11 400,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said in Brits, a tuck shop was raided in Phase 1, Oukasie Township and the police confiscated distinct brands of alcohol and dagga. He added that a case with charges of dealing in drugs, dealing in liquor, and contravening the Gambling Act, 2001 was registered, and the suspect was arrested.

“The police, in collaboration with the Environmental Health officials, proceeded to another place where contaminated and expired foodstuffs were confiscated. The team also seized different brands of alcohol, deep freezers and gambling machines and the owner was arrested and charged with dealing in liquor, and contravening the Gambling Act, 2001,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded all role players for their relentless efforts to reduce crime levels across the province and stamped the authority of the state.

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A man nabbed with ‘illegal’ firearm

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Picture: An illegal firearm seized/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

14 July 2025 – The weekly Joint Law Enforcement operations conducted under Operation Shanela II, have resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of illegal contrabands, including illegal firearms, a variety of drugs, liquor and dangerous weapons.

In the space of a week from 7 to 13 July 2025, a total of 894 suspects were arrested for a variety of crimes. The suspects included 15 for murder, 19 for robberies, 11 for attempted murders, 21 for burglaries, 162 for assaults, five for illegal dealing of drugs, 178 for possession of drugs, 46 for selling of liquor without licences, 65 for driving under the influence of liquor, 14 for malicious damage to property and six for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said during these operations, a total of 67 illegal migrants were apprehended for contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002, and are currently being processed through the courts before being deported by the department of Home Affairs back to their countries.

She further said 411 out of the 894 arrested suspects, were circulated wanted suspects after they were positively linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads. Myburgh added that in Mahikeng information received was operationalized and a search warrant obtained.

“On Monday evening, 7 July 2025, the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Proactive Drug Operations Unit and Mahikeng Public Order Policing (POP) effected the warrant at an identified house in Lonely Park. Police discovered a pistol with serial numbers filed off, ammunition and suspected crystal meth.

“The police immediately arrested Poloko Lentswana (23), who appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, facing charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition as well as possession of drugs,” he said.  

Myburgh said Lentswana was remanded in custody until 15 July 2025.

Meanwhile, the acting North Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said the arrests of these suspects as well as the confiscations of drugs, illicit liquor and unlicensed firearms are the results of the determined, steadfast, unrelenting and tireless efforts by District Commissioners through on-going intelligence led weekly high density operations to combat and prevention serious and violent crimes.

Asaneng said these targeted weekly Operation Shanela, will continue not only to assert the authority of the state, but also to maintain public order, respect for peaceful co-existence and the rule of law by adopting a zero-tolerance approach to social fabric crimes and deviant behaviour caused by excessive drinking and use of drugs.

He said the public is advised to report crime at their nearest police stations or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application.

“Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011,” said Asaneng.

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919 suspects arrested during Operation Shanela

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Picture: The police seized firearms during raids

By REGINALD KANYANE

6 May 2025- The weekly Joint Law Enforcement operations conducted under Operation Shanela, have resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of illegal contrabands, including three illegal firearms, a variety of drugs, liquor and dangerous weapons.

In the space of a week from 28 April to 4 May 2025, a total of 919 suspects were arrested for a variety of crimes. The suspects, include 18 for murder, four for robberies, eight for attempted murders, 19 for burglaries, 103 for assaults, three for illegal dealing of drugs, 90 for possession of drugs, 17 for selling of liquor without license, 46 for driving under the influence of liquor, 33 for malicious damage to property and seven for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said during these operations, 43 illegal migrants were apprehended for contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act, 2002 and are currently being processed through the courts before being deported by the department of Home Affairs back to their countries. Myburgh said 355 out of the 919 arrested suspects were circulated wanted suspects, after they were positively linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads.

“In Tshidilamolomo and Atamelang, information received led the police to various addresses, where seven suspects were traced and three firearms confiscated.

“These firearms were allegedly stolen during a housebreaking and theft case reported between 12 and 20 September 2024, in Tshidilamolomo. Fredy Tsokonya (33), Donald Kamanyane (42), Hendrick Lethobeng (22), Aobakwe Mogwasi (18) and Tshepang Tsokonya (27), briefly appeared before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho on charges of housebreaking and theft,” she said.

Myburgh further said they were all remanded in custody until their second court appearance on 9 May 2025. She added that Lawrence Rambo Gabonewe (35), who was found in possession of a firearm in Atamelang, appeared before the same court on 2 May 2025.

“He was granted R2000 bail and his next court appearance will be on 9 May 2025. The last suspect, Cacious Patrick Kamanyane (38), was also found in possession of two firearms in Tshidilamolomo and appeared before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on a charge of possession of unlicensed firearms on 2 May 2025.  

“He was granted R1000 bail and his next court appearance will be on 30 June 2025. The public is advised to report crime at your nearest police station or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application,” said Myburgh.

She said extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011.

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