Drug busts, stolen vehicles: Six arrested in East Rand police operations - IOL

Benoni Flying Squad members arrested six suspects and recovered drugs and vehicles during operations conducted between September 28 and October 4.

Six suspects have been arrested for offences ranging from drug crimes and alleged possession of a stolen vehicle to reckless driving during a week-long series of Benoni Flying Squad operations across Gauteng’s East Rand.

The arrests were made between September 28 and October 4, while officers also recovered drugs and three vehicles linked to hijacking and theft cases.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Grant Giblin said four suspects, aged between 19 and 34, were arrested in separate drug-related operations in Etwatwa, Benoni and Tembisa.

The arrests were made in Emaphupheni Extensions 7 and 16 in Etwatwa, Rothsay Street in Benoni and Sethokga Section in Tembisa.

“Crystal methamphetamine, mandrax, dagga and cat (cocaine) were recovered in these separate incidents,” Giblin said.

The suspects face charges related to the possession of and dealing in drugs.

In a separate incident, Flying Squad members arrested a 36-year-old motorist in Laris Road, Etwatwa, at about 7.55pm on Tuesday.

Giblin said officers had initially stopped the man for alleged reckless and negligent driving.

“He was pulled over for reckless and negligent driving, which led members to notice he was under the influence of liquor as well,” Giblin said.

The suspect faces charges of reckless and negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police also recovered two vehicles that had allegedly been hijacked and later abandoned.

A silver Opel Astra was found abandoned in Tshipi Street, Barcelona, Etwatwa. The vehicle was linked to a hijacking case reported in Putfontein.

A white Hyundai H100 was also recovered abandoned in veld near the R555 and Ingwe Road in Etwatwa. Police said it had been reported hijacked in a Springs case.

The sixth arrest followed the recovery of a grey Nissan Navara that had been reported stolen in a Boksburg North case.

At about 3.30pm on Friday, information about the Navara’s movements was circulated through a vehicle-tracking group before a security company spotted it.

According to police, the 46-year-old driver allegedly attempted to flee after noticing the security vehicle.

“Upon noticing the security vehicle, the suspect started chasing away, leading to more security vehicles joining in until the suspect was cornered in the vehicle and arrested at the corner of 120 Atlas Road, Dunswart,” Giblin said.

The man was arrested for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.

Police said investigations into all the cases were continuing.

“The suspects appeared and will appear in the local Magistrate’s Courts facing charges of possession of and dealing in drugs, reckless and negligent driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle,” Giblin said.