Tablets, powder seized in SAPS raid on drug lab
Commissioner vows to ‘choke’ supply of illegal substances
SAPS commissioner General Khehla Sitole has vowed that the police would “choke the supply of drugs” in communities and arrest all those who continue to manufacture illegal substances. This comes after the police yesterday discovered what appears to be a drug laboratory at a house in Orlando West, Soweto, making a major breakthrough in the fight against the scourge. No one was arrested in the raid. Sitole praised the collaborative work between communities and the police, saying that it had led to this breakthrough and a number of arrests for drug-related crimes in Orlando in the past year.
“The community has played a commendable role in this intelligence-driven operation and that must be recognised as we continue to advocate for partnership policing. Arresting peddlers and runners is important, but we cannot over-emphasise the even greater need to arrest and close down the actual manufacturers and suppliers,” Sitole said.
“Our members have been hard at work since the discovery this morning and are still busy combing and processing the scene for more evidence. At this stage we have recovered tablets, powder, an unidentified solution and equipment that will be subjected to forensic processing to confirm identity, description and use.”
Sitole said the alleged drug lab has been operating for a long time.
“This is a house that has been in operation for some time. It has employers and supervisors. There are quite a number of suspects. There are also sellers who I think are linked to this house,” he said.
Sitole said the evidence was sufficient to warrant a criminal case being opened and police would be able to give an estimated value of the recovered drugs at a later stage.
He appealed to the neighbouring community or anyone who had information that could assist in concluding this case, to report to the police. “The truth is, the house had been abandoned on our arrival, but that’s a discussion for another day. “We are on the lookout for suspects and therefore need the public to assist us with apprehending the suspect or suspects.”
Sitole said so far in Orlando, they have made many arrest in relation to drug related crimes. – Staff Reporter and African News Agency (ANA)