A 40-year-old Nigerian national has been arrested in Bethal, Mpumalanga, South Africa for dealing in drugs.

 

Provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi stated that the suspect was previously arrested for dealing in drugs

 

“The suspect is currently out on bail on a separate but similar offence of dealing in drugs after he was arrested alongside 11 other suspects in Bethal in a Hawks Operation Dream On in June 2021,” said Nkosi.

 

On Friday, the Nigerian national was arrested in a joint operation emanating from intelligence-driven information, including the Secunda crime intelligence unit, the Hawks Secunda-based serious organised crime investigation unit and the Secunda K9 unit.

 

During the arrest, Nkosi said the 40-year-old man was found in possession of seven plastic bags of substances believed to be crystal meth, two plastic bags of substances believed to be kat as well as close to R10,000 in cash.

 

“The team proceeded to the suspect’s residential place where his 34-year-old companion was found without any legal documents to be in South Africa,” said Nkosi.

The arrested duo is expected to appear before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 May 2025, for dealing in drugs and for contravention of the Immigration Act.

 

Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber has welcomed the arrest, adding that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

 

“We are not only interested in getting drugs off the streets, but our main focus is on the origin of drugs. Once we deal with manufacturers, we will have achieved our mission of rooting out drug related activities in the province,” said Gerber.