A 48-year-old Nigerian man and a 33-year-old South African woman were arrested in Lichtenburg, North West, for possession and dealing in drugs after an undercover operation.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, working with the North West provincial drug task team and the Lichtenburg K9 unit, apprehended the suspects on Wednesday. The operation followed information about a Nigerian man allegedly involved in drug dealing in the area.
“An undercover operation was conducted, leading to the arrest of the pair after selling drugs worth R40,000,” said Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula. Officers seized 649 mandrax tablets, 40 packets of crystal meth, and plastic containers of CAT drugs during the bust.
A subsequent search at the Nigerian man’s residence uncovered additional drugs, including crystal meth valued at R15,000 and CAT drugs worth R6,000, according to Mathebula.
During the suspects’ processing, a 28-year-old South African woman, believed to be the Nigerian suspect’s girlfriend, attempted to bribe officers to secure his release. She was immediately arrested and charged with corruption.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
