Welkom’s drug kingpin busted with R320 000 worth of drugs!

A multi-disciplinary operation called Project Cooper yielded positive results as the team arrested a trio dealing in drugs including a drug kingpin in Welkom, on Thursday, 10 August.

The project was launched in 2022 with the purpose of dismantling drug syndicates in Odendaalsrus and Welkom.

According to the Lejweleputswa police spokesperson, captain Stephen Thakeng, the police operationalised the project from Thursday morning.

“The operation consisted of Organized Crime; Welkom and Thabong CI; CI Surveillance; Provincial Tracking Team; TRT; Provincial Serious and Violent Crime; Flying Squad; Lejweleputswa DOCC; Welkom LCRC; Welkom and Ladybrand K9 Units,” added Thakeng.

During the operation, the police found and seized a variety of drugs in possession of one of Welkom’s drug kingpins. Seized drugs included mandrax tablets, crystal meth and CAT with the street value of more than R320 000.

“As a result of these findings, the police arrested the suspect,” informed Thakeng.

Furthermore, two foreign national suspects including a woman found themselves in handcuffs for drug related offenses.

The police also seized two vehicles allegedly used in the commission of crime, a digital weighing scale, an undisclosed amount of cash and an unknown amount of Kruger rands.

A total of 16 cases of dealing in drugs and one of possession of drugs have been registered against the suspects.

“Trio foreign nationals aged 34 – 42 will appear before the Welkom Magistrate Court on Monday, 14 August, facing dealing in and possession of drugs. More charges may be added to their cases,” concluded Thakeng,